"The Beggar and the King," is a one-act play by Winthrop Parkhurst that takes place in a palace chamber in midsummer. The central figures are a powerful king and a persistent beggar, presenting a stark contrast between wealth and .................................
The Beggar and the King - Oxford Reading Circle - Class 7 - English
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Back Questions - The Beggar and the King | Oxford Reading Circle | Literature | English | Class 7
Which details at the start of the play indicate that the king is wealthy? (Consider objects, actions and names.)
The King sits in a golden chair. This suggests wealth as gold is a precious and expensive material, often associated with luxury and riches. A golden crown is on his head, further signifying the King's wealth. Like the chair, a gold crown is an instantly recognizable symbol of wealth, power and nobility.
He holds in his hand a sceptre which is also of gold. This reinforces the affluence and potency of the king - a sceptre is a symbol of authority and rulership. A Servant stands by his side, fanning him. This suggests the King has the means to employ someone to fan him, further indicating his wealth and stature.
Lastly, the enormous fan of peacock feathers also suggests wealth. Peacock feathers are often seen as a sign of luxury and are not commonly found, indicating that the king can afford such extravagant items.
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What sound irritates the king?
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Sign up nowList five of the punishments that the king wants the beggar to be given.
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Sign up nowWhat kind of character is the king?
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Sign up nowWhat joke does the king make about the beggar’s lungs? And what does the servant later say about the beggar’s lungs?
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Sign up nowWhat solution does the servant suggest to the king? Why do you think the king refuses to do as the servant suggests?
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Sign up nowWhat solution does the king come up with towards the end of the play?
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Sign up nowHow does the beggar respond? How is the beggar’s response different from what the king expected?
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Sign up nowWhat simile does the servant use to explain the effect of the beggar’s cries on the king?
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Sign up nowWhat is the king’s response to the servant’s explanation and what does he mean?
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Sign up nowWhat does the beggar think about being born into his place in the world? And what, in his opinion, would be worse?
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Sign up nowWhat do you think the beggar means when he says the following?
‘For when thou hast thrown thy crown into the street, then will I no longer be obliged to beg.’
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Sign up nowWhat do you think is the message of the play?
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Sign up now‘O king, he has been sent away many times, yet each time that he is sent away he returns again, crying louder than he did before.’
Who is speaking?
Who is he talking about?
Who or what could the character who is being talked about represent?
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Sign up now‘Thou art speaking now in riddles. I do not like riddles. They confuse my brain.’
Who is speaking to whom?
What is the riddle that has confused the speaker?
What does the speaker decide to do next?
How could the speaker solve the problem he has?
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Sign up now‘If thou wilt not let me fling him a piece of bread thine ears must pay the debts of thy hand.’
Who is speaking to whom? Who is being spoken about?
Discuss the metaphor that has been used and explain what it means.
Write this line of dialogue out in modern Standard English You can use different words but do not change the intended meaning.
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Sign up nowMatch the words with similar meanings:
soil | massacre |
falter | cry |
impudent | stumble |
slay | contaminate |
bawl | tempest |
torture | rude |
hurricane | torment |
Go through the play and pick out all the words used to describe the Characters’ emotions, responses and ways of speaking.
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Sign up nowWhere there are no stage directions, talk about how that line should be delivered. Add other words to describe the way a character is feeling and how the actor should deliver the line.
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Sign up nowWhich words used in the play are old-fashioned? Make a list and give their modern equivalents.
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Sign up nowExtra Questions - The Beggar and the King | Oxford Reading Circle | Literature | English | Class 7
‘Thou are a king, so thou wouldst prefer to lose thy head than that silly circle of gold that so foolishly sits upon it.’
‘Thou are a king, so thou wouldst prefer to lose thy head than that silly circle of gold that so foolishly sits upon it.’
a. Identify the speaker and the person being referred to in this line.
b. Discuss the symbolism and irony conveyed in this quote.
c. Translate this line into modern Standard English without altering its original significance.
a. The speaker of this line is the Beggar, and the person being referred to in this line is the King.
b. The line contains both symbolism and irony. The “silly circle of gold that so foolishly sits” on the King’s head symbolizes his crown, which in turn represents his power and position of authority. The irony lies in the fact that the King, would rather sacrifice his life, symbolized by his “head,” than relinquish his authority and wealth, shown by his crown. This line highlights the often misguided priorities of those in power and criticizes their unwillingness to empathize with the less fortunate.
c. “You’re a king, so you would prefer to lose your life than that silly gold crown that foolishly sits on your head.” The line still carries the original reference to the King’s misplaced priorities, symbolized by his crown (his power and riches), and his life.
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‘I do not like the sound of his voice. It annoys me very much. Send him away.’
a. Who is speaking?
b. Whose voice is he referring to?
c. What could this annoyance represent in the context of their roles and the society they live in?
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Sign up nowWhy does the king consider the beggar’s voice annoying? How does this reflect his attitude towards the poor?
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Sign up nowWhat does the Beggar’s refusal to stop begging despite the King’s orders and threats reveal about his character and his perspective on human rights?
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Sign up nowQuiz - The Beggar and the King | Oxford Reading Circle | Class 7 Literature | English
Vocabulary - Flashcards - The Beggar and the King | Oxford Reading Circle | Class 7 Literature | English
About the Author - The Beggar and the King | Oxford Reading Circle | Class 7 Literature | English
Winthrop Parkhurst was an American playwright of the early 20th century who gained fame for his compelling one-act plays. Born in the late 19th century, Winthrop delved into complex themes of social disparity, power dynamics, and human cruelty in his works. His most famous play, "The Beggar and the King," published in 1921, is remembered for its potent exploration of abuse of power and its skewering of aristocratic insensitivity to the poor.
Parkhurst wrote for various mediums, including magazines, and he remained committed to writing throughout his life. While detailed biographical information about Parkhurst is limited, his work continues to resonate for its commentary on social issues that remain relevant today. He was married to Grace Mary Moore, and they had two children. He passed away in the mid-20th century, leaving behind his significant contribution to American theatre.
Summary - The Beggar and the King | Oxford Reading Circle | Class 7 Literature | English
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Themes - The Beggar and the King | Oxford Reading Circle | Class 7 Literature | English
1. Power Dynamics and Abuse:
One key theme in "The Beggar and the King" is the power dynamics and abuse of power. The king exercises his power arbitrarily without....
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Unlock now 🔓Plot - The Beggar and the King | Oxford Reading Circle | Class 7 Literature | English
1. Introduction:
"The Beggar and The King" opens with the king on his throne, annoyed by the constant cries of a beggar asking for bread in the....
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Unlock now 🔓Important Lines - The Beggar and the King | Oxford Reading Circle | Class 7 Literature | English
1. THE KING: "Why does he cry for bread?" This is the first time the king acknowledges the beggar's cries, thus introducing the central conflict in the play.
2. THE BEGGAR: (Outside) "Bread. Bread. Bread.....
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Unlock now 🔓Vocabulary - The Beggar and the King | Oxford Reading Circle | Class 7 Literature | English
Sceptre: an ornamented staff carried by rulers as a symbol of sovereignty
The king held the sceptre high, symbolizing his sovereignty over the land.
Languidly: lacking in vitality and vigour; slowly, with little energy
She moved languidly, dragging her feet as if lacking energy.
Impudence: not being polite or respectful
His impudence was...............................
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