AP English Literature Period 1

Carefully read King Lear-- all of Act I, scene 1 (ending on page 29 in the purple text)and respond to the following close reading questions: 1. Is it wrong for a parent to demand a show of love, and to attach such shows to receiving "things"? 2. Do you think King Lear would have demanded his sons proclaim their love for him, had he sons? If not, why do you think he demands his daughters profess their love for him publically before they are privy to the wealth of the kingdom? 3. When Kent says, " I thought thet King had more affected the Duke of Albany than (the Duke) of Cornwall" he is essentially saying, "I thought the King more loved the Duke of Albany than Cornwall. If the King likes or loves the Duke of Albany more than the Duke of Cornwall, then why does he treat them the same and give them equal shares of the kingdom? Is Lear attempting to be fair? Why? 4. What purpose does the conversation between Gloucester and Kent serve? What subjects arise from their conversation? (opening scene). 5. Why does Lear divide his kingdom while he is alive anyway? 6. What does Lear give to Goneril? Regan? 7. How does Cordelia support her claim that she loves her father....even more than her sisters? 8. Explain the irony in the play when Lear states, "Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her." line 145 in purple King Lear text. 9. What happens to Kent? Why is Lear angry at him? 10. Although she is dowerless (without a dowry), someone decides to marry Cordelia. Who decides to marry her and for what reasons?