King Lear and His Three Daughters Questions-Answers (Class 12 Opt. English)

King Lear and His Three Daughters

- George Wharton Edward

Questions-Answers

Q) Why did King Lear decide to banish his youngest daughter and reward his two elder daughters? Was it a good decision? Justify.

King Lear decided to banish his youngest daughter because she did not have any idea of flattery to show her love towards her father. When a love test was taken by the king, his other two daughters used flattery to please him. So, as a reward, he divided his kingdom equally to his daughters Regan and Goneril. He became blind in the name of flattering love. In fact, it was not a good decision because that created his downfall.

Q) Which daughter loved the king in true sense? How do you know this?

The king had three daughters Regan, Goneri and Cordelia. Among his three daughters, the youngest daughter Cordelia loved the king in true sense. Though she didn’t get any property of her father, she came to help in difficult time. While fighting for her father to regain his kingdom from her two wicked sister, she died for the sake of her father. Thus, I know that the youngest daughter loved the king truly.

Q) What is the king’s weakness?

Lear, the King of Britain has some weak points. Mainly, he has the love for flattery and lack of judgment. Due to these weaknesses, he faces his downfall. As the king, he always loves to be flattered and praised, but ultimately this main weakness brings turmoil in his life.

Q) What promise does the eldest daughter make to her father before getting the state?

Regan is the eldest daughter of the king. For impressing her father and getting his kingdom, she uses the words of fake love. In the name of getting his kingdom, she says that she is ready to shed blood for her father’s sake and to have her heart cut into two pieces for her father.

Q) What flattery does the second daughter make and win the heart of his father?

The king’s second daughter Goneril makes flattery to win her father’s heart for getting his kingdom. She says that for her father she is always ready to tolerate any difficulties for her father’s happiness. She even says that she is ready to serve him day and night for her father’s pleasure.