Introduction to Year 13 & Shakespeare's 'King Lear'
Welcome to Year 13 English A-Level. This week, we will set out the expectations for the year, introduce the NEA (Non-Examined Assessment) coursework component, and begin our study of Shakespeare's powerful tragedy, 'King Lear'.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the structure and assessment objectives of the A-Level Year 2 course.
- Explore the historical and social context of Jacobean England and its relevance to 'King Lear'.
- Analyse the opening scene (Act 1, Scene 1) and its dramatic significance.
- Identify key themes introduced in Act 1, such as power, loyalty, and deception.
In-Class Activities
We will begin with a diagnostic exercise to assess your current analytical writing skills. This will be followed by a group discussion on the nature of tragedy. We will then perform a close reading of Act 1, Scene 1, focusing on Lear's 'love test' and Cordelia's response.
Homework
1. Read the remainder of Act 1 of 'King Lear'.
2. Write a 500-word analysis of the character of Edmund based on his soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 2.
3. Research and make notes on the concept of the 'Great Chain of Being' and its subversion in the play.
Assessment
A baseline assessment on unseen poetry analysis will be conducted at the end of the week to gauge your analytical skills at the start of Year 13.
Download Assessment Paper