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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who advises the king to refuse the war?

2. Who does Lear claim are his enemies?

3. How does Lear order the workman killed in Act 1, Scene 1?

4. Who does the Gravedigger's Boy tell Lear has left him, and "wanted a horse to take him to town"?

5. Who is planning to marry the Duke of North?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Carpenter refuse to untie the prisoners once he has captured the soldiers in Act 2?

2. Why has the Small Man come to find Lear? Where has he come from?

3. Who is leading a revolution against Bodice and Fontanelle? How do we learn this information?

4. Do Bodice and Fontanelle trust one another? What actions or dialogue reveals their true feelings?

5. Why is the Ghost unhappy and crying in Act 3, Scene 3?

6. What is the significance of the location of Act 3, Scene 3?

7. What does the Councillor tell Lear and the others is the fate of the Small Man? How does Lear react?

8. Who do Thomas and Susan reflect from earlier in the play? How?

9. What is the significance of the Wounded Soldier in Act 2 Scene 3?

10. What does Lear say about the Farmer's Son joining the army? How does this show a change in his character?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe Epic Theater. What elements of Bond's Lear are characteristic of Epic Theater? What ideals does Bond share with Brecht? How does the style of Lear reflect this?

Essay Topic 2

Do you empathize with any characters in the play? Who? Why do you feel regard or disregard for these characters? Cite examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the production history of Bond's Lear. How has it been received by the public? What characteristics of the play make it controversial? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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