Student Activities for King Lear
Essential Questions for King Lear
- How can pride cause someone to make foolish decisions?
- Why is it important to think through a situation, rather than make rash decisions?
- What are the potential dangers of greed?
- Why is forgiveness so important?
- How can suffering help a person become more empathetic and understanding?
- What is manipulation and why is it wrong?
- How does nature seem to balance out the poor decisions made by humanity?
- What qualities do tragic heroes possess?
King Leir
The inspiration for Shakespeare’s play comes from Geoffrey of Monmouth’s book, published in 1136, called History of the Kings of Britain. Supposedly, King Leir of the Britons ruled in the 8th century B.C., which is also about the time that Rome was being founded. These coinciding milestones may contribute to why Shakespeare peppered the play with so many references to Roman gods and goddesses. The primary plot of the play follows the history closely: King Leir has three daughters, two of whom flatter him to receive their shares of the kingdom, and one who truly loves him but refuses to play his games. Leir also only asks for 100 knights for his entourage, which his wicked daughters reduce to zero after a couple of years. Eventually, his sons-in-law band together and overthrow him, so Leir is forced to flee to France. He, along with Cordelia and their forces, attack and retake the throne of England. However, in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s account, Leir reigns for three years after he regains his crown, and then Cordelia succeeds him thereafter. Shakespeare strays from these events by killing off Lear and Cordelia, and leaving the dubious future of the kingdom in Kent’s and Edgar’s hands instead.
The Great Chain of Being
A concept that was near and dear to the hearts of many Medieval and Renaissance people is the idea of the Great Chain of Being. The Great Chain of Being provides a hierarchy of roles for the people of the Medieval world, beginning with God at the top, and eventually moving down to animals and plants. In between these roles are kings and queens, clergy, knights and nobles, and finally peasants. This hierarchy is also modeled in the feudal system that began with the king and ran down to the serfs. The Medieval mindset held that if there was a disruption in this chain, usually in the higher levels of the hierarchy (such as a nobleman usurping the throne from a king), the universe and nature would respond violently until balance was restored. This belief is reflected in many works of art and literature, but it is especially present in Shakespeare’s plays. For instance, in Julius Caesar, the citizens report strange happenings in the city of Rome, including men’s hands on fire but not burning, a lioness wandering around in the Capitol but not attacking, and blood raining down on the Capitol. Calpurnia remarks to Caesar in warning:
When beggars die there are no comets seen;
The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.
Calpurnia’s warning comes true, because little does Caesar know, his best friend is planning to assassinate him the following morning. This disruption in the Great Chain also has consequences for Brutus and Cassius, and all of Rome, as Caesar’s assassination brings about a period of chaos and bloodshed for Rome, and results in the deaths of Brutus and Cassius. In King Lear, the disruption caused by Lear’s actions are reflected in the wild storm depicted in Act III.
There are many interesting depictions of The Great Chain of Being that can be easily researched by students. Some interpretations incorporate supernatural elements such as angels and demons; others are very specific in their classifications of the hierarchies, including “higher” and “lower” animals. Students will notice, however, that the monarchy is always placed at the top, near God, and sometimes only below the Pope. This has to do with the Divine Right of Kings, another concept that helped absolutist monarchies control most of Europe for hundreds of years.
| Note |
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Ironically, Shakespeare’s patron, Queen Elizabeth I, had a storied family history with disrupting the Chain. Her father, King Henry VIII, appointed himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England with his Act of Supremacy in 1534. This disrupted the hierarchy because King Henry replaced the Pope, who was believed to be appointed by God, as the head of religious and political affairs. |
How Tos about King Lear by William Shakespeare
Engage students with a King Lear character debate activity
Organize a lively classroom debate where students take on the roles of different characters from King Lear. Assign each student a character and encourage them to defend their actions and decisions using evidence from the play. This interactive approach helps students practice critical thinking and speaking skills while deepening their understanding of character motives.
Provide clear debate guidelines and roles
Set expectations for respectful discussion and clarify each student's character assignment. Give students time to prepare arguments and gather supporting quotes from the text. Encourage active listening and thoughtful rebuttals to foster a productive classroom atmosphere.
Facilitate the debate and encourage participation
Moderate the debate by posing guiding questions and ensuring every student has an opportunity to speak. Prompt quieter students with open-ended questions to help them contribute. This strategy builds confidence and inclusivity for all learners.
Reflect on key takeaways after the debate
Lead a class discussion to summarize major points made during the debate. Highlight how different perspectives changed students' views on the characters and themes of King Lear. Encourage students to write a short reflection about what they learned and how the activity connected to the play’s essential questions.
Frequently Asked Questions about King Lear by William Shakespeare
What are the main themes in King Lear?
King Lear explores themes such as pride, greed, manipulation, forgiveness, and the consequences of rash decisions. It also examines the dangers of disrupting social hierarchies and the importance of empathy and redemption.
How can I teach King Lear to high school students easily?
Use discussion questions, visual activities like storyboards, and connect the play’s themes to modern situations. Focus on character motivations and key scenes to simplify complex parts for students.
What is the Great Chain of Being, and how does it relate to King Lear?
The Great Chain of Being is a Medieval concept of a social and cosmic hierarchy. In King Lear, disrupting this order—such as Lear giving away his kingdom—leads to chaos, reflected in events like the storm in Act III.
What is the difference between King Lear and King Leir?
King Leir is the earlier legend that inspired Shakespeare’s King Lear. In Leir’s story, he regains his throne and lives, while Shakespeare’s Lear and Cordelia die, making the play a true tragedy.
Why is forgiveness an important lesson in King Lear?
Forgiveness is central in King Lear because it leads to personal growth, healing, and reconciliation. Lear’s journey shows that letting go of pride and anger allows for redemption, even after great suffering.
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