Introduction


The aim of this book is to assist you in your reading of King Lear and your comparative texts and prepare you for the single text and comparative questions on Paper 2 of your Leaving Certificate English exam.


King Lear


This book contains the full text of the play. Each scene opens with a summary of the action about to take place, a description of the setting and a key image to help you visualise the world of the play.


As the English language has changed so much since the time of William Shakespeare, annotation will help you understand what unfamiliar words and phrases mean and assist you with navigating your way through the action.


At the end of each scene, questions will prompt you to think about how the characters, action and key themes have developed in the section you have just read. They will encourage you to think about what the characters say and do, how they interact with each other and how they express thoughts, feelings and opinions. You will consider common themes and explore images and symbols that will contribute to your overall understanding of the play.


Each set of questions is followed by a writing task. These will allow you to begin writing extended pieces about the play and will help you to develop a closer understanding of the characters and themes. Many of these writing tasks have a layout similar to that of Comprehending Question B on Paper 1 of your Leaving Certificate English exam, so you will get valuable practice in the form and language required for that section of the exam. At the end of the play, detailed study notes focusing on character development, key themes and imagery and symbolism will assist you with getting ready for your exam.


You should pay particular attention to quotations from the play. As well as learning key quotations from each scene you will be introduced to more quotations as you move through the analyses of individual characters, themes and dramatic techniques. You may find that when you are researching and writing an essay on a specific theme or an aspect of imagery and symbolism, you need to use other quotes. In this case, you should note them carefully and learn them as you use them in your work.


The best way to prepare for any exam question is to know the play inside out. The more familiar you are with the plot and the characters, the more readily you will be able to adapt your knowledge to fit whatever question is asked. There is no definitive ‘right’ answer: as long as you are honest, well-informed and can make a good case, you will get good marks.


Comparative Study


For the comparative question on your exam, you must use three texts and compare them under particular headings known as the modes of comparison. The modes of comparison for Higher Level for examination in 2021 are: theme or issue, cultural context and general vision and viewpoint.


In this book, we provide comparative notes for two sets of three texts.


The three texts for Comparative Option One are the film Some Like It Hot directed by Billy Wilder, the graphic novel Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi and the novel The Spinning Heart by Donal Ryan.


The three texts for Comparative Option Two are the novel Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, the film Brooklyn directed by John Crowley and the play Philadelphia, Here I Come! by Brian Friel.


You or your teacher may choose which comparative option you will study. You should then use the comparative notes to ensure you know your texts well, understand how to compare and contrast them, and use key comparative phrases.


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