Depicting the tragedy of an aging king’s descent into madness, King Lear deals with interrelationships of the members of the royal family and the breakdown in communication. The themes are universal, and the story is of timeless appeal. Many parallels exist between King Lear and other characters in literature, such as Oedipus, the Ancient Mariner, Job, and Dante; parallels can also be drawn to our own experiences with the treatment of the elderly, greed, jealousy, good, and evil.

Students explore the complexities of Shakespeare’s language, examine Elizabethan concepts and dramatic conventions relevant to Shakespeare’s plays, and define unfamiliar terms. Lessons address imagery, rhetorical devices, figurative language, and major themes.

Supplementary materials include a glossary, essay topics, research projects, and a quiz and test with answer keys.