Act 1, Scene 1 from King Lear CORDELIA: [aside] What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent. LEAR: Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issue Be this perpetual.—What says our second daughter, Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak. REGAN: Sir, I am made Of the selfsame metal that my sister is, And prize me at her worth. In my true heart I find she names my very deed of love; Only she comes too short, that I profess Myself an enemy to all other joys Which the most precious square of sense possesses, And find I am alone felicitate In your dear Highness' love. CORDELIA: [aside] Then poor Cordelia! And yet not so; since I am sure my love's More richer than my tongue. LEAR: To thee and thine hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, No less in space, validity, and pleasure Than that conferr'd on Goneril.—Now, our joy, Although the last, not least; to whose young love The vines of France and milk of Burgundy Strive to be interest; what can you say to draw A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak. CORDELIA: Nothing, my lord. LEAR: Nothing? CORDELIA: Nothing. LEAR: Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again. CORDELIA: Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty According to my bond; no more nor less. LEAR: How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little, Lest it may mar your fortunes. CORDELIA: Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me; I Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honour you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they say They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry Half my love with him, half my care and duty. Sure I shall never marry like my sisters, To love my father all. LEAR: But goes thy heart with this? CORDELIA: Ay, good my lord. LEAR: So young, and so untender? CORDELIA: So young, my lord, and true.
Use the passage to answer the question. How does Lear’s language in this passage help dramatize the scene? (1 point)
Lear uses formal language to illustrate the severity of the situation at hand.
Lear uses stern language to show that he holds all the power in the situation.
Lear uses flattering language to highlight how much he loves all of his daughters.
Lear uses harsh language to punish his daughter for questioning and disobeying him.
Lear uses disbelieving language to heighten the tension between himself and Cordelia
The correct answer is: Lear uses disbelieving language to heighten the tension between himself and Cordelia.
Act 1, Scene 1 from King Lear CORDELIA: [aside] What shall Cordelia speak? Love, and be silent. LEAR: Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd, With plenteous rivers and wide-skirted meads, We make thee lady. To thine and Albany's issue Be this perpetual.—What says our second daughter, Our dearest Regan, wife to Cornwall? Speak. REGAN: Sir, I am made Of the selfsame metal that my sister is, And prize me at her worth. In my true heart I find she names my very deed of love; Only she comes too short, that I profess Myself an enemy to all other joys Which the most precious square of sense possesses, And find I am alone felicitate In your dear Highness' love. CORDELIA: [aside] Then poor Cordelia! And yet not so; since I am sure my love's More richer than my tongue. LEAR: To thee and thine hereditary ever Remain this ample third of our fair kingdom, No less in space, validity, and pleasure Than that conferr'd on Goneril.—Now, our joy, Although the last, not least; to whose young love The vines of France and milk of Burgundy Strive to be interest; what can you say to draw A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak. CORDELIA: Nothing, my lord. LEAR: Nothing? CORDELIA: Nothing. LEAR: Nothing can come of nothing. Speak again. CORDELIA: Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty According to my bond; no more nor less. LEAR: How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little, Lest it may mar your fortunes. CORDELIA: Good my lord, You have begot me, bred me, lov'd me; I Return those duties back as are right fit, Obey you, love you, and most honour you. Why have my sisters husbands, if they say They love you all? Haply, when I shall wed, That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry Half my love with him, half my care and duty. Sure I shall never marry like my sisters, To love my father all. LEAR: But goes thy heart with this? CORDELIA: Ay, good my lord. LEAR: So young, and so untender? CORDELIA: So young, my lord, and true.
Use the passage to answer the question. How does Lear’s language in this passage help dramatize the scene? (1 point)
Lear uses formal language to illustrate the severity of the situation at hand.
Lear uses stern language to show that he holds all the power in the situation.
Lear uses flattering language to highlight how much he loves all of his daughters.
Lear uses harsh language to punish his daughter for questioning and disobeying him.
Lear uses disbelieving language to heighten the tension between himself and Cordelia