King Lear: Homework study schedule
The majority of reading materials will be contained in your critical pack; videos and podcasts available through your A-level playlist. Tick when completed and make sure you manage your workload – do not leave it all until the last minute.
Week 1:
| Read the background of the text in your critical resource pack | |
| Read ‘critical reception’ | |
| Listen to and make notes on ‘King Lear’ by Melvyn Bragg on In Our Time
available on your A-level English playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwaLIaLu8wcyM5SI5unJ2EpuzRFyCNnpR |
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| Learn week 1 spellings and definitions of Tier 2 vocabulary | |
| Essay:
‘A nihilistic vision of humankind which denies all hope.’ How far is this true of tragedy in King Lear? Or “King Lear is not only a tragedy of parents and children, of pride and ingratitude; it is also a tragedy of kingship.” Discuss with reference to power relations in King Lear. Due in 2 weeks |
Week 2:
| Read ‘The Classical Unities’ How does King Lear meet or break from these traditional principles? Write your answer for each unity and be prepared to share in class. | |
| Short Extract Analysis: Act 1 Scene 1
Explore the ways in which Shakespeare presents the theme of love. Comment on the use of literary, linguistic and rhetorical devices and conventions to create specific dramatic effects. |
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| Learn week 2 spellings and definitions of Tier 2 vocabulary | |
| Essay continued |
Week 3:
| Watch and make notes on: King Lear Subplot 1-4 available on your A-level English playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwaLIaLu8wcyM5SI5unJ2EpuzRFyCNnpR |
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| Learn week 3 spellings and definitions of Tier 2 vocabulary | |
| Essay:
How far and in what ways is Lear changed by suffering? Or ‘At the beginning of the play, Lear is a King, a father, a master and a man. As the action develops, the first three roles are stripped from him and he is forced to consider what the last of them means.’ Show how Lear is stripped of his roles and evaluate the truth and significance of the claim that Lear is forced to consider what it means to be a man. Due in two weeks |
Week 4:
| Learn week 4 spellings and definitions of Tier 2 vocabulary | |
| Essay continued |
Week 5:
| Revise randomized spellings and definitions of Tier 2 vocabulary | |
| Essay:
‘Gloucester is no less a tragic figure than his king.’ To what extent can you agree with this view? Or ‘King Lear makes clear how fragile life is – how thinly divided happiness is from misery.’ To what extent is this the way you read the play? Due in two weeks |
Week 6:
| Essay continued |
Week 7:
| Revision: Completion of both practice paper questions for WET04 | |
Week 8:
| Revision for Mock Exam | |
Week 9:
Awaken English 