Early British Literature King Lear In Class writing assignment for Period 4

In the following soliloquy from Act II, scene iii, Edgar seeks refuge in a forest near Gloucester’s castle. The banished son, who has fallen victim to Edmund’s evil schemes, now realizes that he will never be able to return to his father to regain his love and respect because everybody believes him to be a traitor who planned to kill his father. Read the passage carefully and write a well-organized 1- 2 page essay in which you analyze Edgar’s decision to assume the character of a poor madman. Explain Edgar’s reasoning for becoming “nothing” and analyze how his disguise influences later actions and events in the play. Begin drafting in class and turn in your draft with a typed version stapled to the draft on Monday 1/14.

EDGAR

I heard myself proclaim’d;And by the happy hollow of a treeEscaped the hunt. No port is free; no place, That guard and most unusual vigilanceDoes not attend my taking. Whiles I may ‘scape 5I will preserve myself: and am bethought To take the basest and most poorest shape That ever penury in contempt of manBrought near to beast: my face I’ll grime with filth, Blanket my loins, elf all my hair in knots, 10And with presented nakedness out-face The winds and persecutions of the sky. The country gives me proof and precedentOf Bedlam beggars, who with roaring voicesStrike in their numb’d and mortified bare arms 15Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary; And with this horrible object, from low farms, Poor pelting villages, sheep-cotes and mills,Sometime with lunatic bans, sometime with prayers, Enforce their charity. Poor Turlygod! poor Tom! 20That’s something yet: Edgar I nothing am.

Early British Literature King Lear In Class writing assignment for Period 5

The Fool functions as a character who appears to ramble nonsensical commentary but, in fact, sees and speaks the truth. He displays a great sense of wisdom, although he speaks in riddles to his master, the former king. Read the following passage from Act III, scene ii, carefully and write a well-organized 1 – 2 page essay in which you analyze how the Fool uses irony in order to speak the truth. Describe and evaluate the images the Fool employs to express his wisdom and his concerns about the state of affairs in the kingdom. Begin drafting in class and turn in your draft with a typed version stapled to the draft on Monday 1/14.

FOOL

When priests are more in word than matter; When brewers mar their malt with water; When nobles are their tailors’ tutors;No heretics burn’d, but wenches’ suitors;When every case in law is right; 5No squire in debt nor no poor knight; When slanders do not live in tongues, Nor cutpurses come not to throngs; When usurers tell their gold i’ the field,And bawds and whores do churches build; 10Then shall the realm of Albion Come to great confusion:Then comes the time, who lives to see’t, That going shall be used with feet.

Early British Literature King Lear In Class writing assignment for Period 6

Carefully read the following passage from Act IV, scene vii, and write a 1 – 2 page well-organized essay in which you analyze why Cordelia condemns her sisters for the acts they have committed against their father. Explain why Cordelia is shocked at her sisters’ behavior and why she believes her father, at his old age, deserved better treatment. Begin drafting in class and turn in your draft with a typed version stapled to the draft on Monday 1/14.

CORDELIA

Had you not been their father, these white flakes Had challenged pity of them. Was this a faceTo be opposed against the warring winds?To stand against the deep dread-bolted thunder?In the most terrible and nimble stroke 5Of quick, cross lightning? to watch—poor perdu!— With this thin helm? Mine enemy’s dog,Though he had bit me, should have stood that night Against my fire; and wast thou fain, poor father,To hovel thee with swine and rogues forlorn, 10In short and musty straw? Alack, alack! ’Tis wonder that thy life and wits at onceHad not concluded all. He wakes; speak to him.