William Shakespeare, King Lear
Lesson plans and other teaching resources

Classical Theatre of Harlem Study Guide: King Lear
Plot summary, background information, themes, imagery, discussion questions, and lots of photographs. This 13-page document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application for access.

A Close Look at King Lear on Film
This filmography is accompanied by a bibliography. This is an excellent resource for those wondering which DVD to order.

Enjoying King Lear
Extensive background, plot summary, and commentary. Scroll down for ideas for essay topics, thematic development, and related links.

Folger Study Guide: King Lear
Plot summary, a list of characters, interactive activities, and discussion questions.

"Is This the Promised End?"
Students are often disappointed or confused by the deaths of Cordelia and Lear at the end of King Lear. In this standards-based lesson, students learn that audiences and critics have been arguing over the end of the play for four hundred years.

King Lear
Plot summary, themes and imagery, essay topics.

King Lear
This 13-page document addresses 69 vocabulary words drawn from the play. Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application required for access.

King Lear
A list of fine art related to the play. Follow the links for a picture of the painting and some commentary.

King Lear
Introduction to Shakespeare's life and times, an interview with Brian Bedford on the challenges of playing King Lear, and more. This 14-page resource from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application for access.

No Fear Shakespeare: King Lear
On the left, Shakespeare's words. On the right, a contemporary English paraphrase. Divided by scene.

O, Lear's Many Reasons
Students sometimes have trouble discerning Lear's intentions in his outburst in Act II, scene iv. This performance exercise will help them identify his "darker purpose," and let them explore different styles for reading it aloud.

Questions of Kingship in King Lear
An interdisciplinary, research-based approach to understanding King Lear in its cultural context. Written by a teacher, posted at the Folger Library site.

Seeing, Storms, and Madness: King Lear
This unit plan is rich with handouts and other resources.

"Speak What We Feel, Not What We Ought to Say"
Students work with the text in small groups to understand a character.

Teacher's Guide to King Lear
Overview, elements of tragedy, writing prompts, and more. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader or compatible application for access.

Teaching Language in King Lear
This strategy will appeal to visual learners especially.

The True Chronicle History of King Leir
Shakespeare drew inspiration from this play, which appeared 12 years before his own version. This site compares the two, including side-by-side quotations.

"Who is it that can tell me who I am?": Performances of Lear's Speeches
Students use speeches from early in the play and late in the play to examine character development and theme.

A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
Eighteen discussion questions for this novel, King Lear set in rural America.