Lear #11

Play "count the bodies" at the end.  Who, by the end, has died.  How many were "guilty" and how many were "innocent."  What does this say about the concept of poetic justice?

Lear #10

Discuss the symbolism of EYES in relationship to Gloucester.

Lear #9

Discuss Regan, Goneril, and Edmund and their "relationship."

Lear #8

Describe the Dover Cliff incident. What role does it serve in the plot?

Lear #7

Discuss Edgar and "Poor Tom"--is Edgar mad? If not, why is he acting like he is?  Compare and contrast to Lear and his madness.

Lear #6

Shakespeare is an expert at using WEATHER to convey his character's emotions.  Compare the STORM outside to the STORM in Lear's mind in Act III.

Lear #5

Trace the growing cruelty of Regan and Goneril.

Lear #4

Discuss the role of the FOOL in this play.  Does he love Lear?  How does he show it?  What can the Fool do (get away with) that no other character can?  Why??

Lear #3

Parents and children:  (subtitle--and you thought dysfunctional families were new!)   We are shown two families rather closely--Lear and his three daughters and then Gloucester and his two sons.  Do a little research and tell me what a RENAISSANCE reader would think made a GOOD family--and then show how these families are good and how they are not.  Which of Gloucester's two sons loves him?  How does he show this?  How does Gloucester treat him--initially?  Compare to Lear's treatment of his daughters.

Lear #3

Discuss the character of KENT--how is he consistent throughout the play and how does he change?

Lear #2

Right away, let's establish the idea of "who really loves King Lear" and "who really speaks the truth?"  Starting with the three sisters--which one is Lear's "true" daughter and how does she show it?  How does Lear react to this?

King Lear #1

Describe the character of King Lear at the beginning of the play.  What motivates him?

MDA#9

Is Guinevere, in any way, a FEMINIST character??

MDA #8

What is the chivalric code?  What is the Christian code? How was Lancelot loyal to the chivalric code, but not the Christian code and how does that lead to his demise?

MDA #7

In Morte D'Arthur, Love versus Duty is an important theme. What is Malory's view of the importance of these two ideals? Which does he value more? Explain.

MDA #4

If you had to make a movie of one chapter of Le Morte D'Arthur, which one would you choose, and why? Who would you cast in each role?

MDA #3

Why are all these knights so concerned with chivalry? How do they define chivalry? Do you think it still has a place in our culture today or is chivalry, as they say, dead?

MDA #2

What is your favorite popular adaptation of Le Morte D'Arthur or the Arthur story in general? How does it compare to the book?

Morte D'Arthur #1

Which character in the Morte D'Arthur do you most admire and why? Are there any characters that you admire?

Prologue #2

What are the Wife's view on marriage and sex?

Wife of Bath Prologue

How many husbands has the Wife (Alisoun) had?   Trace them here:  For example, #1 was when she was 12 years old and  . . .