1. King Lear Essay questions
There is always a choice of 2 questions for King Lear. There is one character
based question whilst the other is about a theme or concern in the play or
dramatic effects of the play.
There is a fairly standardised format to the question which offers a statement or
proposition. Words such as exploring or considering are interchangeable.
Candidates are given the chance to argue or look at a central idea in a new way.
They are also asked to evaluate the questions’ proposition and it is assumed
they will reach a conclusion.
1. “Throughout the play nature is presented as nothing more than a harsh
world working against man.” By exploring the dramatic presentation of
nature in King Lear evaluate this view.
2. “By exploring the dramatic presentation of Lear in the play evaluate the
view that he is nothing more than a foolish old man who is not fit to be a
King.”
3. “King Lear presents the relationship between parents and children as
being harsh and unnatural.”Evaluate this view of the play by considering
parent/child relationships both in the main plot and in the subplot.
4. “The tragedy of the play King Lear is dependent on the evil of Goneril,
Regan and Edmund.” Evaluate this view of the play by considering the role
of these characters and their effect on the tragedy.
5. “Shakespeare’s King Lear is a play of redemption( the act of delivering
from sin or saving from evil )in which the King moves from a state of
moral blindness to one of clear vision” Evaluate this view of the play by
considering the King’s journey through the play.
6. “King Lear is a play which shows how utterly power can corrupt. By
exploring the power relationships in the play evaluate this view expressed.
7. “King Lear shows that the only way to realising truth is by experiencing
madness.” By exploring the role of madness in the play evaluate this view.
8. “The role of the Fool in the play is to present his wisdom as a foil to the
foolishness of the King.”Evaluate this view of the Foolin the play.
9. The extent of the suffering in Shakespeare’s King Lear makes it almost
unbearable to watch on stage.” By exploring the way suffering is
dramatically presented in the play evaluate this view.
10. “Lear is a play about the misery of the human condition.” By considering
this view of the play evaluate the extent to which you believe the play is one
of total pessimism.
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