what do you need in a king lear essay? (1 Viewer)

[Ged]

what the hell my teacher is useless!!

our school is doing King Lear for Module B

are you meant to include references to modern productions? are you meant to include critics? i have lost all confidence in my teacher and i wonder are you meant to include your own interpretations to a couple of scenes?

plz help

 

[silvermoon]

many ppl get confused by king lear - this module is not supposed to be like the shakespeare units u would have done in orevious years - where you studied the text and learnt themes, motifs etc. the aim here is to discuss different interpretations of lear and how this reflects context.
so, yes, you must include references to productions - this is what you should be talking about the whole way through. note: these do not have to be film, they can be stage, or even different written versions (such as tates). you can include critics if you wish, though they're not essential - more important is understanding and using the critical schools of thought - ie. being able to analyse a production like Eyre's and see that you could interpret this as a domestic drama, a feminist version or a psychoanalytical/freudian one.
with regards to your own interpretation...some years the questions have asked you specifically for your own interpretation. however, this is not common (though you should still be prepared for it!). if the question doesnt specifically ask for your interpretation, there is no need for you to include it.