Act Two Flashcards
(23 cards)
How does the plot and subplot intertwine by Act 2 scene 1?
Edmunds plans prosper and begins aligning himself with Cornwall and Regan.
Evil characters continue to gain ground.
How does Edmunds quick wits help him in Act 2 scene 1?
His quick wife help him through:
- he is able to respond to events as well as control them.
- his lines to Edgar at the start of the scene are short and sharp statements and questions, this suggests his command of circumstances
What is the significance of Shakespeares stage directions in Act 2 Scene 1 ?
As it was not possible to dim the lighting to evoke a sense of nighttime,
darkness had to be conveyed to the audience through the characters: for instance ‘here he stood in the dark’ and the presence of actors carrying flaming torches.
Edmunds: ‘Torches, Torches!’ Is ironic since he calls for the light so everyone can see what is happening, when his real intention is to cover up what has taken place between him and Edgar.
How have characters developed in the play by Act 2 Scene 1?
Shakespeare crafts the characters to respond to the rapid unfolding of events by revealing new or hidden sides to themselves.
For instance Edmund, becomes more selfish and evil as events grant him the opportunity to do so, similarly so do Goneril, Regan and Cornwall.
Lear and Gloucester are complacent and unperceptive when they have authority, but there responsive to their fall is a mixture of disillusionment and integrity which turns them into far more sympathetic characters.
Furthermore Albany reacts to his wife Gonerils assertiveness by transforming from an ineffective husband to a determined general.
Lastly Edgar goes from a bewildered fugitive to an epitome of patience, cunning and even ruthlessness.
How would the audience react to Edmund in Act 2 scene 1?
At this stage, the audience will still side by Edmund against Gloucester and Edgar. Edmund is still the ‘underdog’ and his actions show courage and ingenuity as well as his opponents gullibility.
How does Gloucesters insecurity of his weakness compared to the rising generation lead him to do ?
Gloucesters insecurity of the rising threat from the younger generation, leaves him so unnerved he not only ignores Edmund’s injury in ‘Look, sir, I bleed’ but he also disowns Edgar without a second thought.
“Let him fly far:
Not in this land shall he remain uncaught;
And found—dispatch.” Act 2, scene 1
His hasty reaction shows us that he is self centred and lacking in judgement.
Furthermore, Gloucester, like Lear is clearly vulnerable as seen in his later speech to Regan:
‘O madam, my old heart is cracked, it’s cracked’
How does Shakespeare keep Regan true nature concealed in Act 2, scene 1?
Regan is comforting and affectionate to Gloucester in Act 2 scene 1. Shakespeare does this for maximum impact in Act 2 scene 4.
What is the significance of stage directions in Act 2 scene 2?
‘Enter EDMUND with his rapier drawn’
Stage directions in Shakespeares play usually list the characters in the order of their social rank. The significance of the illegitimate Edmund entering first with his rapier drawn shows that Edmund dashed ahead of the others in order to break apart the Kent and Oswald before the others arrive.
This shows Edmund’s active personality and his desire to make a good impression on his new patron Cornwall.
What is the significance of Kent’s humours insults?
Shakespeare crafting of the quarrel at the start of the scene provides comic relief. However behind Kent’s insults lies a serious point:
The dangers of a bad servant.
King Lear is full of bad servants who subvert the natural order that they should have been serving faithfully.
What is the significance of bad servants in King Lear?
- Shakespeare portrays a number of bad servants, specifically Goneril, Regan and Cornwall even Gloucester and Lear who have duties to protect and serve Britains order.
- However their failure to uphold standard justice effectively shows how they put their own needs above the public good. - Could be argued Oswald does what he’s told by Regan but does this make him a good servant ? There’s a stark contrasting difference between complacent Oswald and the outspoken Kent, who is so dedicated to Lear he is prepared to tell him when he is wrong.
What is the significance of Kent’s crash out in Act 2 Scene 2?
Shakespeare portrays Kent to not be fooled by appearences.
For instance “such smiling rogues as these” Kent isn’t a fool to their deception.
This is reinforced by “A plague upon your epileptic visage” an insult said to Oswald targeting his false, sycophantic appearance. The word “epileptic visage” suggests an unstable, or deceitful face — someone who is outwardly controlled but inwardly corrupt.
Ultimately Kent’s “I have seen better faces…before me in this instant” is a true indication of Kent’s lack of gullibility.
Kent, unlike most characters in King Lear, sees through appearances. While others are fooled by flattery (Lear by Goneril and Regan, Gloucester by Edmund), Kent remains steadfast in truth and loyalty.
How does Shakespeare present a lack of hope by Act 2 scene 2 through Kent’s punishment?
Shakespeare presents a lack of hope through the rise of the villains.
Gloucester is careful not to offend Lear through the punishment of one of his favoured loyal servants Caius, who is actually Kent: “I would not have it so” act 2 scene 2
- However arrogant Cornwall snaps “I’ll answer that” when Gloucester doesn’t try to offend Lear.
- Regan adds on to this with her vindictive comment of keeping Kent in the stocks longer, a typically demeaning punishment for the Former Earl of Kent.
- not only does this show Kent’s underlying loyalty to Lear but it further shows how Cornwall and Regan operate effectively as a cruel team.
Ultimately power is in new hands, Gloucester is ineffectual and Lears representative is being treated with scorn.
The only hint of hope being the brief mention of Cordelia’s letter issuing her return and doing right by her wronged father, “Nothing almost sees miracles. But misery. I know tis from Cordelia”
What is the significance of the last line in Act 2 Scene 2?
‘Fortune, goodnight; smile once more; turn thy wheel’
Meaning:
Fortune is imagined as a capricious goddess who spins a great wheel.
- Kent, suffering in the stocks, recognises that he and Lear are at the bottom of the wheel — victims of injustice, betrayal, and humiliation.
- Kent Acknowledges the bleakness of the moment, the virtuous: Kent, Lear, and Gloucester are suffering, while the corrupt: Regan, Goneril, Edmund, Cornwall are thriving.
Kent calls for change: when he says “smile once more”, he’s hoping the wheel will turn again — that fate will restore justice and bring the wicked down.
• Foreshadowing the eventual reversal of fortune: though things seem hopeless now, Kent’s appeal reminds the audience that tragedy operates on reversals. Eventually, evil may fall and loyalty may be vindicated — though, tragically, this comes at great cost.
What is the significance of Edgar’s soliloquy at the start of Act 2 Scene 3 ?
Edgar soliloquy introduces the concept of Edgar becoming as cunning as his brother Edmund.
The fact he chooses to disguise himself as Poor Tom, a social outcast, reveals the desperation he’s in.
It also reveals the state in which his brother and father have reduced him to, similar to the previous scene in which goodness is marginalised, degreased and punished while evil is thriving.
During Edgar’s soliloquy, the audience can still see Kent sleeping in the sticks behind him, this juxtaposition creates a visual comparison between the two, both of whom have done disguise and conceal their identities in humiliating ways to preserve their lives while evil prospers.
While Kent addresses the goddess fortune for a change of fate.
Edgar changes his fate by becoming as cunning as his brother who calls him “a brother noble, whose nature is so far from doing harms, That he suspects none”
With Edgar’s survival at stake, he contradicts Edmunds perception of him in his solilquy by harming himself in order to fool his pursuers into believing he’s a mentally disturbed outcast: “My face I’ll grime with filth…bare arms pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary”
This mirrors Edmund cutting himself in Act 2 scene 1.
He also mirrors Lear in “enforce their charity” who also had to rely on the charity of others after his world and expectations had been turned upside down.
- Edgar’s current state foreshadows what Lear will soon be reduced to as well, with Edgar’s presumed ‘madness’ foreshadowing Lears.
What is the significance of “Edgar I nothing am” ?
The line reflects Edgar’s total collapse of social and personal identity.
Edgar becomes nothing to preserve something — his life, and eventually justice.
Ironically, by becoming “nothing,” he survives — and eventually, this role enables him to gain insight, resilience, and ultimately redemption.
What is Lears authoritive position treated like in Act 2 scene 4?
Lear is cooked, and he’s faced with multiple difficulties as his power and self possession is stripped away from him.
- Kents presence in the sticks unnerves the king, however it’s also symbolic of the continuous disregard and ‘shame’ to Lear.
Lear is further treated with contempt when Regan and Cornwall “deny to speak with me” (Lear POV).
— - The fools disturbing tales of misguided kindness also operate as a choric introduction to the ‘cruel kindness’ that Regan and Goneril display later in the scene.
— - Lears belief that Regan, unlike her sister would never “oppose the bolt / against my coming in” is crushed.
What have the sisters exposed themselves to be by Act 2 scene 4?
- The sisters have exposed themselves to be indifferent of their father’s agitation and suffering.
- “O, sir, you are old. / Nature in you stands on the very verge / Of her confine.”
This quote suggests that Regan sees Lear’s age as a weakness and an excuse to take away his authority — rather than showing care, she uses it to justify stripping his power.
This scene mirrored Act 1 when they measured out their love through words.
And now Lear measures out his love by insisting to stay with the daughter who lets him to retain the greatest number of followers.
Lears bargaining is desperate and he cannot see his daughters don’t care for him. As he curses and threats revenge he runs out into the storm.
In what ways is the reaction of Goneril, Regan and Cornwall towards Lears exit telling ?
The tone of the speeches following Lears exit is very telling.
G, R, C stoic reactions show how they are unmoved by Lears agonising final speech.
Their cool control contrasts starkly with Lears wild passion.
Cornwall referring to Lear as “the old man” is further contemptuous vocab used against Lear.
How does Lears final speech show some sense of maturity ?
At the start of the play, Lear is consumed by pride, power, and superficial displays of loyalty—he values flattery and possessions as measures of worth.
“Which of you shall we say doth love us most, / That we our largest bounty may extend?”
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Lear’s line, “Allow not nature more than nature needs, / Man’s life is cheap as beast’s,” marks a profound shift in his mindset and reveals his growing self-awareness.
- this quote, spoken during the storm scene, shows that he now understands the fragility and depth of human needs.
This moment reflects Lear’s emotional and philosophical growth: once arrogant and self-centered, he is now confronting the harsh truth of human vulnerability. Stripped of his title and comforts, he recognizes that all people—especially the poor and powerless—require more than physical survival; they need meaning, respect, and connection.
How does Lears final speech before he exits to the storm relate to another scene in the play?
Lears:
“Let not women’s weapons, water drops stain my cheeks. No, you unnatural hags, I will have such revenges on you both”
This scene Lear feels himself close to crying and condemns his tears as mere ‘women’s weapons’
This parallels Lears earlier comment in Act 2 Scene 4:
“O, how this mother swells up toward my heart! Hysterica passio”
In this scene Lear feels a surge of stunn, and describes it as the mother, and also calls it by its medical name, hysterica passio: form of hysteria that effected men and women.
However, Lears use of both these terms show how he regards his emotional state as a female weakness, undermining his masculine strength.
How are the sisters united against their father in Act 2 scene 4?
To Lear the followers represent himself: his status, dignity, and authority. Furthermore, they represent Lear AS HE WAS, by reducing their number, Goneril and Regan are targeting Lear as he is and everything he ever was.
Goneril and Regans reduction of Lears followers is a masterpiece of orchestrated cruelty.
They use a number of hypocritical excuses to dismiss Lears men:
“Both change and danger / Speak against so great a
number” in here Regan is telling Lear it’s both costly and dangerous to keep the men. Regan does this as a power play against lear to not only strip him of all kingship but to also isolate him from any remaining loyalty and protection. Leaving him vulnerable.
She also adds how it was have been impossible for ‘two commands’ in one household to ‘hold amity’. Suggesting it would be easier if Lear had fewer followers, they would be easier to command. But these commands are coming from Regan and Goneril.
Finally, Goneril suggests that Lear doesn’t need men since she already has plenty of servants to do the job in “What need you five-and-twenty, ten, or five,
To follow in a house where twice so many
Have a command to tend you?”
Lastly, Regans ‘And in good time you have it’ is as mean and chilling as her brazen question “what need one”
Her sarcasm coupled with her rhetorical question is cold, dismissive, and strategically humiliating. They represent how Regan and Goneril use mocking logic and false politeness to break Lear down emotionally and symbolically.
Here we see Goneril and Regan most brutally efficient, where their time has been hectoring and authoritative throughout.
Regan proves her self as every bit as callous as her ferocious sister was in Act 1 Scene 4.
How does Shakespeare present Lears desperation in Act 1 Scene 4?
- Lear struggles to maintain his dignity, his opening line to Goneril shows his desperation:
‘I prithee, daughter, do not make me mad / I will not trouble thee my child; farewell’
- Lears politeness is pitiful.
— - Two lines later Lear is angry again, calling Goneril ‘a disease that’s in my flesh…a boil / A plague sore’
- the imagery of disease emphasises how Lear is being assaulted by his own flesh and blood.
— - However Lear tries again to be patient:
- “but I’ll not chide thee, let shame come when it will, I do not call it; I do not bud the thunder-bearer shoot, nor tell tales of thee to high-judging love”
- Lear hopes that the gods will punish his daughter.
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However his tolerance is revealed as blindness when he says ‘I can be patient; I can stay with Regan, / I and my hundred nights”
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Furthermore “I gave you all” shows how little Lear has learnt in terms of how is love is not a commodity that can be bought.
— - Lear, like Edgar, is reduced to a state of beggary, reliant on the hostile world for charity. This is seen through Lears helpless and dependent speech:
“You heavens, give me patience, patience I need! You see me here, you Gods, a poor old man, As grief as age; wretched in both! If it be you that stirs these daughters hearts. Against their father, fool me not so much, to bear it tamely”
Lear is overwhelmed + terrified of his ‘daughter’s hearts’ will defeat him.
Lear comes to an epiphany over what a man is in this speech, and these ideas will consume him in Act 3.
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- His last speech shows a mixture of fear and courage. However his last incomplete threats are signs he no longer has any control over his daughters, or his mind. Lears dramatic and agonised exited ‘O fool! I shall go mad’ coupled with the stage direction (storm heard at a distance) provides an ominous warning to Lears suffering yet to come.
To what extent is Lear really face the truth by the end of Act 2, scene 4?
Lears furious refusal to weep is a sign that he is still blindly clinging to his regal persona.
Alternatively, his stoicism may not restore his persona but Lears pride and fortitude can be seen as the qualities of a true hero.
