KING LEAR

Part 3

NARRATOR: As soon as Goneril has got all she can from her father, she begins treating him disrespectfully. When Lear wants to speak to her, Goneril tells her servant, Oswald, to say she is sick. She encourages her staff to be disrespectful towards Lear and begins complaining about the hundred soldiers Lear has brought with him. However, King Lear soon has a friend by his side. The Duke of Kent, who Lear ordered to leave Britain, cannot abandon his king. He therefore comes to Lear disguised as a servant called Caius and asks for a job.

(Enter Lear, several of Lear's soldiers and Kent disguised as a servant.)

LEAR:      OK, Caius. I'll give you a trial. And if you prove to be good at your job, I'll keep you on as my servant. (Oswald enters.) Hey, you there. Where's my daughter? (Oswald ignores the king and hurries out of the room.) Hey. What's going on? Call him back. Is he deaf? (A Soldier rushes out after Oswald.) It's as though the whole world has gone to sleep. (Soldier reenters.) Where's that servant? Why didn’t he come back when I called?

SOLDIER:   Sir, he answered me very rudely and said he would not come back.

LEAR:      I don’t believe it!

SOLDIER:   Sir, I am sorry, to tell you this, but it seems to me that you are not being treated with the respect due to a king. Everyone here, including your daughter, is behaving very coldly towards you.

LEAR:      Mmm. I suspected the same, but I kept telling myself it was my imagination. Please tell my daughter I wish to speak with her. (Soldier bows and leaves. Oswald enters.) Ah, come here my man and answer me. Who am I?

OSWALD:   My lady's father.

LEAR:      Your lady's father? Is that all I am to you, you dog, you slave! (Lear raises his arm as though to strike Oswald.)

OSWALD:   I'll not be hit, my Lord.

KENT:      (Kent kicks Oswald's feet out from under him.) And you won't be laid flat on your back either, I suppose. Now get up and get out of here. (Oswald leaves.)

LEAR:      My thanks, Caius. I can see you will be a most valuable servant.

              (Enter Goneril.) What's up, daughter? You always seem to be frowning lately.

GONERIL:   Is it any wonder that I frown when your soldiers are continually drinking and fighting? I thought when I told you about their behaviour you would make them behave, but now I hear you have insulted Oswald. I do believe you are encouraging your soldiers in their bad behaviour.

LEAR:      Is this my daughter scolding me?

GONERIL:   I have had enough of your soldiers. They are expensive to keep and you don't need them. Besides, their drunken behaviour and bad manners are disgusting. You will send half of them away. And unless you want me to get rid of the rest of them too, I suggest you teach them how to behave properly.

LEAR:      That's a lie. My soldiers are good men who know how to behave properly. I won't stay here to be insulted. I still have one more daughter. She'll scratch out your eyes when she hears how you've treated me. Men! Get my horses ready and collect my baggage. I'll leave immediately. I won't stay where I'm not welcome. (Lear and companions leave.)

NARRATOR: Lear sends Kent on ahead to the castle of his other daughter, Regan, to tell her that he will soon be arriving. Goneril sends her servant Oswald to Regan to tell her side of the story.

67. Who does the underlined “him” probably refer to?

    A. Kent.                 B. Oswald.                 C. Lear.                         D. Soldier.

68. Why did the Duke of Kent disguise himself as a servant?

    A. To find a chance to meet Goneril.          B. To share some of the king’s wealth.

    C. To find a job in the court.                      D. To serve and help his king— Lear.

69. From the passage, what is the relationship between Goneril and Regan?

    A. Sisters.              B. Couple.                  C. Sister and Brother.      D. Brothers.

70. Which of the following best describe the character of King Lear in this passage?

    A. A wise king and father.                          B. A cold-hearted father.

    C. A cruel and selfish king.                        D. A stupid and a bit stubborn man.