Act IV King Lear… COPY WHITE!!!

What does Shakespeare compare his characters to throughout the play? Animals- uses metaphors, similes, and other figures of speech - compares Regan, Goneril, and other characters to animals.

What does this show? shows that human greed and lust for power turn people into rapacious beasts What theme does this relate to? Power corrupts- Goneril and Regan become like savage animals once they are consumed with their power.

Scene i How does Edgar feel as the scene opens? (pg 77) That it is better to know what people truly think of you, and that the worst has happened. Who enters to change that opinion? Gloucester- blinded by Regan and Cornwall changes Edgar’s thoughts.

Who shares his similar view of the world? Gloucester states “As flies to wanton boys are we to the Gods; / They kill us for their sport.” What does he mean by that? He believes that there is no good in the universe.

What does Gloucester hint is the reason he wants to go to Dover? He wants to kill himself The line “from that place / I shall no leading need” foreshadows that Gloucester wants to end his life.

Scene ii Who continues in the motif of betrayal? The wicked begin to betray each other (Regan and Goneril) Who is becoming more aware of what the evil actions of Goneril and Regan are doing to good people? Albany

What does this show us about him? Undying loyalty- Albany is grief stricken and vows revenge on those who have betrayed Lear and Gloucester What are Goneril and Regan fighting over now? Both sisters desire Edmund’s affection

Scene iv What does Cordelia say in her explanation about France’s sending troops to Britain? They are coming to restore power to Lear What theme does this relate to? Undying Loyalty- Cordelia cares more about her father’s health and country than about the unfair way he treated her

Scene vi Where does Poor Tom take Gloucester? Dover How does he convince him that he has jumped off the cliff? Imagery- Edgar (poor Tom) creates the images of what the cliff would look and sound like to convince Gloucester that he was atop the high cliff.

Who is Lear like in his ramblings? The fool How? Both the fool and Lear seem to speak in riddles, yet they have more truth than anyone else. What theme does this relate to? Knowledge through suffering

What does Lear realize and reveal in his ramblings? That his daughters just flattered him in order to play up to his ego and to get their way. What does this realization help him to feel like he has the right to do? Theme? Reunite with Cordelia- Knowledge through suffering

What is the parallel between the two men? Both Lear and Gloucester are blind (one metaphorically and the other both metaphorically and physically) to the moral corruption that exists in some of their children.