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Appearance and Reality Exam Questions
and Answers
Sir, I do love you more than word can wield the matter' - Correct Answers -This ironic statement highlights Goneril's tendency to lie as she goes on to eloquently describe her love for Lear.
'I am sure my love's more ponderous than my tongue' - Correct Answers -Cordelia recognises that the gravity of her true feelings can't be expressed through speech. As a result she appears indifferent when answering Lear's question as to how much she loves him; her plain language covers her true love for him. This is one of the many problems in the play that is created by the misinterpretation of appearances.
Which of you shall we say doth love us most, that we our largest bounty may extend?' - Correct Answers -Lear encourages false displays of affection as he enjoys the comfort that they bring him. In Lear's world, superficial flattery is rewarded and he is unable to see the cruel sentiments behind the ornate language of Goneril and Regan.
Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least' - Correct Answers -Kent is able to see through the false appearances of the sisters and attempts to illuminate the true situation for Lear.
Fairest Cordelia, thou art most rich being poor, most choice forsaken' - Correct Answers -France's oxymoronic descriptions of Cordelia reveal that he is a perceptive character who is able to see through false appearances. The juxtaposition of 'rich' and 'poor' highlights the fact that Cordelia has been punished when she should have been rewarded for her honesty.
I know what you are' - Correct Answers -Shakespeare uses this monosyllabic sentence to show that Cordelia is able to see through her sister's flattery to their true intentions, and highlights her conviction not to copy their use of language.
Dost thou know me, fellow?' - Correct Answers -Lear's ironic questioning of Kent shows that he is unable to see through Kent's appearance. The word 'thou' infers Lear's amiable attitude towards the disguised Kent, highlighting how oblivious he is to Kent's true identity.
'Deliver a plain message bluntly' - Correct Answers -Kent tells Lear, even as a disguised character, that he is able to tell the truth. Despite his changed appearance Kent stays loyal to his own values.
'Lear's shadow' - Correct Answers -The Fool is able to understand the reality of Lear's situation. Although Lear still has the appearance of a King, he is merely a 'shadow' of his former self as he has given away all of his titles.
Detested kite' - Correct Answers -Lear begins to see Goneril as a beast. This metaphor shows that he is beginning to see through Goneril's deceptive appearance to her true nature.
'Keep one's eyes of either side's nose, that what a man cannot smell out he may spy into' - Correct Answers -The Fool uses visual imagery to show that Lear has been taking everything on face value, and has been unable to comprehend the reality of the situations he's been faced with.
Pardon me; in cunning I must draw my sword upon you' - Correct Answers -Edmund manipulates the way he appears to Edgar to convince him that he is supporting him. Shakespeare's use of the ambiguous word 'cunning' highlights Edmund's duplicitous nature as he is cleverly deceiving both his father and Edgar.
'I hear that you have shown your father a child-like office' - Correct Answers -Cornwall's ironic praising of Edmund reveals that Edmund has successfully manipulated the impression that his actions have created in order to conceal his real motives. Indeed, Edmund has been anything but 'child-like' in attempting to convince his father of a plot against his life.
When Cornwall asks Kent why he is angry, he replies 'that such a slave as this should wear a sword, who wears no honesty' - Correct Answers -Kent is dismayed that Oswald, a disloyal servant, is allowed to appear as gentlemanly character by wearing 'a sword', which was a symbol of service to the King.
Sir, in good faith, or in sincere verity, under th'allowance of your great aspect' - Correct Answers -Kent's satirical use of ornate language when talking to Cornwall highlights the meaningless of using language to misrepresent the truth.
I will preserve myself, and am bethought to take the basest and most poorest shape' - Correct Answers -Edgar reveals in his soliloquy that he intends to disguise himself in order to protect himself. False accusations have been made against Edgar and now his true appearance is perceived by others to be that of a 'villain'.
'Regan, thou shalt never have my curse. Thy tender-hafted nature shall not give thee o'er to harshness' - Correct Answers -Lear's use of flattering language when talking to Regan shows that he has begun to comprehend the fact that the love test in Act 1 has
Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile; filths savour but themselves' - Correct Answers -Albany highlights the subjectivity of the character's different perceptions of appearance within the play. Morally corrupt characters within the play are unable to see the reality of certain situations, preferring to see wickedness in place of goodness
Crowned with rank fumiter and furrow-weed' - Correct Answers -At this moment Lear's appearance reflects his madness at its' most intense. The crown of weeds reflects how Lear has returned to nature to make up for his perceived mistreatment by mankind.
'You are now within a foot of th'extreme verge' - Correct Answers -Edgar creates an illusion through his false description of their surroundings, painting a mental picture for Gloucester. However, in reality they are on flat land, which Gloucester is unable to see due to his blindness.
They told me I was everything; 'tis a lie' - Correct Answers -Lear only sees the reality of Goneril and Regan's lies to him in the love test now that he has gone mad. This is one of the pieces of truth that Lear manages to convey between his nonsense.
Through tattered clothes great vices do appear; robes and furred gowns hide all' - Correct Answers -Lear comments on the nature of justice. He points out that it is poor men who are punished because they are unable to hide their crimes whereas rich men are able to create an appearance of innocence as they are the ones that dispense justice. The 'tattered clothes' and 'robes and furred gowns' are symbolic of the upper and lower classes.
Come, an you get it, you shall get it by running. Sa, sa, sa, sa' - Correct Answers -This shows that Lear is consistently unable to equate the appearance of a situation with its' reality. He runs away from the gentleman who is trying to help him. His fragmented cries emphasize his confusion.
To know our enemies' minds we rip their hearts, their papers is more lawful' - Correct Answers -Through this adage Edgar reveals that man's appearance can never be trusted as it can be easily manipulated. He suggests instead that letters are much more reliable in revealing reality.
To both these sisters have I sworn my love' - Correct Answers -Shakespeare reveals Edmund's true thoughts about Goneril and Regan in his soliloquy. Edmund has been upholding the appearance that he loves the sisters, although it is made clear that he is indifferent towards them. In reality he is only interested in working out which sister can facilitate his power.
My name is lost by treason's tooth bare-gnawn and canker-bit; yet I am as noble as the adversary' - Correct Answers -When Edgar appears to challenge Edmund at the end of the play he makes it clear that although he has had to change his appearance several times, his identity is still intact. Shakespeare's personification of treason shows that
betrayal has been widespread within the play, and that manipulation of reality has enabled the characters to carry these actions.
Thou art a traitor: false to thy gods, thy brother and thy father' - Correct Answers - Edmund reveals that although Edgar has managed to fool many of the characters with his false appearance, he sees him for what he truly is.
Thy outside looks so fair and warlike' - Correct Answers -At this point Edmund is addressing Edgar, although he doesn't realise who he is. Ironically Edmund tells Edgar that he appears strong and brave, a description that contrasts to his earlier descriptions of Edgar as weak.
Do you see this? Look on her: look, her lips' - Correct Answers -Lear thinks that he sees Cordelia's lips move after she has been hung. His repetition of 'look' shows his conviction. However, Cordelia is dead, showing that Lear dies still not being able to differentiate appearance from reality, possible because of his inability to face the truth.
The weight of this sad time we must obey, speak what we feel, not what we ought to
say' - Correct Answers -In this couplet Edgar reveals through his use of imperatives that he has learnt from the tragedies that have occurred and will speak the truth. The use of
the royal 'we' gives hope to the audience that the kingdom will now be properly
governed under the honest rule of Edgar.
