1. Homework for Wednesday
Critical Interpretation Flashcards
Comprehension: explain in general sense
Reflection: relate to King Lear
Evaluation: agree or disagree with pov or claim being made. Use text support
Conversation: lead class or group in short discussion

2. Agenda Share journal responses Mini lecture on Tragedy
Lear’s tragic flaw?
Tone, diction, atmosphere , syntex, imagery

3. Speed dating Read 4.1-4.2 in class Sit across the aisle from a partner
And respond to journal questions

4. Discuss the theme of vision

5. 4.1
“ I stumbled when I saw. Full oft ‘tis seen Our means secure us, and our mere defects / Prove our commodities.” (our advantages make us blind we learn from our disadvantages) How has his suffering changed him? Like Lear, he recognizes “The thing intself…”unaccomodated man” stripped of his illusions

6. What kind of universe is revealed in thhese lines?
“As flies to wanton boys are we to th’gods /They kill us for their sport.”
Uncaring universe…this best represents the nihilistic view of life as meaningless.
A world without moral or religious principles.

7. 4.2 What is going on between Edmund and Goneril?
How is Albany changing?
“You are not worth the dust which the rude wind ? Blows in your face.
In 1.4 he was mild-mannered regarding Goneril’s dismissal of Lear’s knight
Now he rails at her for injustices done to Lear and Gloucester

8. Agenda 4.1 Themes- identifty in act 4 Appearance vs. reality Justice
Suffering
Loyalty
Reconciliation
HW: Read Act 5 for Tomorrow
Prepare for seminar on Wednesday

9. p. 181 Humanity must perforce prey on itself Like monsters of the deep.
People who commit cruel acts against others will soon turn on each other “Like monsters of the deep.” Who turnsl on each other? ALBANY IS TRULY SHOCKED BY HIS WIFE’S CRUELTY

10.  4.2
 Question 2.
Albany is not portrayed as the “milk-liver’d man” Goneril perceives him to be. Contrast his character in previous scenes to the changed Albany in this scene.
How does his change lend hope for the future of the other characters in the play as a whole?

11. How has Albany changed? Text support
What is Shakespeare saying about human nature in its response to political events in general and evil actions in particular??

12. 4.3
Why does Lear refuse to see Cordelia?
P.189
Text support?

13. 4.4
What will heal Lear?
Not stars, nor the gods. She turns to a physician instead.
She places her faith in all “unpublished virtues of the earth.”
And…in

14. 4.4 Love? P. 191
As the British powers march toward the French army Cordelia states: “ No blown ambition doth our arms incite, But love, dear love, and our aged father’s right. Soon may I hear and see him.”

15. 4.5 What do we Learn about Oswald and Regan?
Oswald remains loyal to Goneril, but loyal to an evil cause.
Remains stoic..unmoved just as he was in scene with Kent.
Regan says it was a shame they let Gloucester live. Why?

16. 4.5 p.199
Act IV, Scene 5 1. Regan and Goneril have become involved in a bitter rivalry for Edmund’s love.
2. Oswald remains stoic in his encounter with Regan in this scene. Why do you think he is considered an evil character in the play?
Exercising free will. Like Albany we can change sides.

17. 4.6 This world I do renounce- Gloucester
Lines 45-95
Why does Edgar continue the disguise?
How does he convince Gloucester that his life has value?
Line 88: Therefore, thou happy father,
Think that the clearest gods, who make them honors
Of men’s imposibilities, have preserved thee.

18. Justice Misogynistic speech Read lines 135-146 What is confusing?
What is he saying about women?
Where does such hate come from?
Women are like gods above the waist, but below it is hell

19. p. 205-160-205 What is Lear saying about Justice in the world?
Mark lines that reveal his view

20. Robes and furr’d gowns hide all”
The rich hide their sins behind furs and gold plate (their wealth and status)

21. “When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.
Life is suffering

22. Agenda: Watch movie Homework: read essay and prepare seminar
Keep assignment out during movie- you might get some ideas to use for seminar
Concepts:
Is Lear creating a moral or amoral world?
Restorative power of love
Does Edmund redeem himself?

23. 4.6 The bad begin to fall Edgar kills Oswald
Reads letter from Goneril to Edmund:
p. 213 line 290
Plot to kill her husband

24. King Lear’s Awakening

25. 4.7
Through suffering, King Lear has gained knowledge and insights he did not have before.

26. 4.7 reconciliation P. 221 Lines 65-90 Go to the Video 2:02
Lear has gained wisdom through his suffering.
The great rage has died in him
Tragic Hero’s recognition of truth before his death. Why not end play here?

27. Tragic Hero
Tragic hero is a figure who occupies a high position of social rank and ultimately falls to desolation and disaster.
Protagonist’s fate is determined by the tragic hero’s flaw, or hamartia.

28. Tragic Fall From high position because of: an error in judgment
exaggerated hubris (excessive pride)
or the workings of fate.

29. Shakespeare’s tragedies
Hero’s flaw is rooted within the protagonist
Reveals itself through a failure or inability to act correctly or make the right decision

30. What is Lear’s Tragic Flaw and his Turning Point?.
Tragic Flaw: the trait that is responsible for actions leading to downfall and tragedy

31. Hero is ultimately destroyed by forces he himself set in motion.
Tragic Hero’s recognition of truth before his death.

32. “Waste of human potential”
Central element of the Elizabethan tragedy.
King Lear’s fate is determined by his inability to distinguish between honest love and flattery, and his disastrous decision to divide his kingdom and give up his power entirely.

33. 5.1 Regan concerned that Edmund loves Gonerial
Albany not comfortable with fighting against Lear, but must since France is an invading power.
Edgar enters as peasant, gives Albany the letter Gonreil wrote to Edmund.

34. 5.2 Edgar sets Gloucester by tree
Returns when battle is lost and together they leave

35. 5.3
Cordelia and Lear arrested and put in jail

36. Terms to know
Atmosphere: how the writing feels to a reader. (An author’s tone creates atmosphere)
Tone: Tone illuminates speaker’s attitude toward a subject. Attitude is communicated through tone.
Diction: Choice of words.
Syntex: The arrangement and order of words to create meaning.
Imagery that appeals to one’s senses

37. Act 5.3 Lear’s speech P. 235 Lines 4-20
How do Diction, syntax, imagery
Contribute to tone? Atmosphere?
His attitude toward the subject of his speech
Imagery of “birds in a cage”?

38. Edmund’s order to captain
Kill Lear and Cordelia
Albany commends Edmund on the battle field
Then accuses him of treason
Goneril has poisoned Regan
Edgar in disguise, fights Edmund
P lines

39. Has Edmund changed?
P. 249: wounded by Edgar, he says, “The wheel has come full circle.”
What does he mean by this?
Recognizes that he is being punished by the gods for his terrible deeds.
He knows that he has brought these sufferings on himself.
P. 253: “I pant for life some good I mean to do.”
Tries to save Lear and Cordelia
But it is too late

40. Lear’s Speech
Atmoshpere, tone, Diction, punctuation, syntax and imagery
P. 255-end
Line 308
“Howl, howl, howl

41. “Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.” Edgar
Appearances and superficialities are meaningless compared to personal relationships and human responsibility

42. Final thoughts
Central theme: education and transformation of lear. Gained insight and knowledge through suffering brought about by his own folly.
Both Gloucester and Lear find “renewal”
Order will be restored by Edgar/Albany

43. Final scene Disguise is revealed (Kent and Edgar)
Father and child reunited
Edgar-Gloucester
Cordelia and Lear
Tragic hero dies
Villain brought to justice

44. Agenda
5.3:1/2 page Response with support: Is Shakespeare’s world moral or amoral?
IS there a natural moral order
or does he present a nihilistic view of human nature?