Question

king lear
by william shakespeare

act 4, scene 7

shakespeares play king lear focuses on family relationships: between a father and his daughters and between a father and his son. the play is also about poor judgement as seen particularly in the main character of lear. in this scene, civil war has broken out. lear is asleep in a tent. a nobleman, kent, and a doctor keep close watch on him. lears youngest daughter, cordelia, whom he disowned earlier in the play comes to see him. she is concerned for his welfare.

cordelia: then bet so, my good lord.

(to the doctor)
how does the king?
doctor madam, sleeps still.

cordelia: o you kind gods,
(5) cure this great breach in his abused nature!
the untuned and jarring senses, o, wind up
of this child-changed¹ father!

doctor: so please your majesty

select the correct answer.

which statement best describes cordelias interaction with her father over the course of the scene?

cordelia is angry with her father, but she forgives him toward the end of the scene.
cordelia shows indifference and frustration toward her father throughout the scene.
when the scene begins, cordelia doesnt recognize her father, but later she remembers him.
cordelia shows love and devotion toward her father throughout the scene.

Explanation:

Analyze the context and Cordelia's actions

The introductory text states that Cordelia, whom Lear disowned earlier, comes to see him because she is "concerned for his welfare." In the dialogue, she prays to the "kind gods" to "Cure this great breach in his abused nature!" and restore his senses.

Evaluate the options based on textual evidence

• Option 1 (angry but forgives) is incorrect because she shows no anger or resentment in this scene.
• Option 2 (indifference and frustration) is incorrect because she is deeply concerned and prays for his healing.
• Option 3 (doesn't recognize him at first) is incorrect because she immediately refers to him as her "child-changed father" and seeks his cure.
• Option 4 (love and devotion) is correct because her prayers, concern, and presence demonstrate consistent love and devotion.

Answer:

• Cordelia is angry with her father, but she forgives him toward the end of the scene.
• Cordelia shows indifference and frustration toward her father throughout the scene.
• When the scene begins, Cordelia doesn't recognize her father, but later she remembers him.
• Cordelia shows love and devotion toward her father throughout the scene. (Correct answer)