Lear in Lockdown - Studying King Lear

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66 episodes to help you study Shakespeare's "King Lear" - including scene analysis with actor and director Alan Stanford, teachers and students sharing Leaving Cert sample answers, theme explainers, favourite quotes and the King Lear Quiz where (just like the Leaving Cert) all your favourite questions come up! Starring the students from Moyne Community School, Scoil Mhuire and St. Mel’s College, Longford, Carraigallen Vocational School, Leitrim. Compiled by RTÉ Radio 1's Drama on One team.

RTÉ Radio 1


    • Mar 9, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 3m AVG DURATION
    • 66 EPISODES


    Latest episodes from Lear in Lockdown - Studying King Lear

    01 - Why study Shakespeare's King Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:30


    An introduction to the Bard

    02 - Two families Gloucester and Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 1:32


    There are two families in Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear – Goneril, Regan and Cordelia Lear and Edmund and Edgar Gloucester –and their fathers!

    03 - Scene Study Act 1 Scene 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 8:18


    The Love Test and the word ‘Nothing'. Lear divides his kingdom and abdicates responsibility.

    04 - The structure and economy of King Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:14


    A look at the language in the play

    05 - King Lear - Subplot, information and letters

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 7:09


    Two stories in tandem.

    06 - Scene study - Act 1 Scene 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:15


    The Gloucester family storyline – Edgar and Edmund.

    07 - Scene Study Act 1 Scene 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 4:45


    Edmund manipulates Edgar without telling a lie.

    08 - A pessimistic world view?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 4:18


    Shakespeare's vision of the world in King Lear is essentially pessimistic. Would you agree. Discuss the view with suitable quotation and reference. (Cog sheet! How to answer a typical exam question interrogated and analysed through introduction, body of answer and conclusion. )

    09 - Two favourite quotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 1:49


    Edmund in Act 5 Scene 3 in the camp near Dover “This speech of yours hath moved me, And shall perchance do good: but speak you on; You look as you had something more to say.” And Lear in Act 3 Scene 2 “Poor fool and knave, I have one part in my heart that's sorry yet for thee!"

    10 - Scene Study - Act 1 Scene 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 5:40


    The value of Nothing - Lear, Kent and role of The Fool as Lear's conscience

    11 - Theme of Blindness in King Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:02


    Cog sheet! How to answer a typical exam question interrogated and analysed by introduction, body of answer and conclusion.

    12 - The Journeys of Lear and Gloucester

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:04


    The Journeys of Lear and Gloucester

    13 - Four favourite quotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:39


    Lear in Act 4 Scene 6, The Fool in Act 2 Scene 4, Goneril in Act 5 Scene 1, Lear in Act 3 Scene 2

    14 - The most important changes that take place in the character of King Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 5:39


    What in your opinion are the most important changes that take place in the character of King Lear during the play. (Cog sheet! How to answer a typical exam question interrogated and analysed by introduction, body of answer and conclusion. )

    15 - The Theme of Family in King Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:00


    The parallels in the families of King Lear and The Earl of Gloucester

    16 - Scene Study Act 2 Scene 4 - The Dismissal of Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 7:50


    Lear's daughters Goneril and Regan gang up on Lear

    17 - Five favourite quotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 4:04


    Lear in Act 4 Scene 7 - I'm a Foolish fond old man … Gloucester in Act 4 Scene 1 - I have no way and therefore want no eyes …. Gloucester in Act 2 Scene 1 - My old heart is cracked, it's cracked …. Lear in Act 4 Scene 1 - As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods …. Lear in Act 5 Scene 3 never, never, never, never, never.

    18 - Scene study - Act 3 Scene 4

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 5:15


    The Storm Scene. Lear recognises ‘need” as he moves towards self-realisation.

    19 - Lear - from centrality to loneliness and isolation

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 4:54


    In the play, King Lear moves from a position of centrality to one of loneliness and isolation. Discuss. Introduction, body of answer and conclusion. (Cog sheet!)

    20 - Scene Study Act 3 Scene 6

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 5:22


    The Mock Trial. The metaphor of the Staircase

    21 - Two Favourite Quotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:13


    The image of the Storm scenes in Act 3. Lear in Act 1 Scene 5 . “I did her wrong …”

    22 - Scene Study - Act 4 Scene 6

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 6:41


    Gloucester meets Lear

    23 - Favourite Quote - Lear in Act 4 Scene 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 1:18


    I'm a Foolish fond old man…

    24 - Is the character of King Lear more sinned against than sinning?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 7:03


    Introduction, discussion and conclusion. (Cog sheet! How to answer a typical exam question interrogated and analysed by introduction, body of answer and conclusion.)

    25 - Lear as the Tragedy of Despair

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:37


    Lear as the Tragedy of Despair. Comparrisons to Hamlet and Macbeth.

    26 - Three Favourite Quotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 3:10


    The Fool in Act 1 Scene 4 - I am a fool. Thou art nothing. … Gloucester in Act 4 Scene 1 - Mad men must lead the blind , The theme of blindness and sight in the main plot and sub plot - Lear in Act 3 Scene 2 - I. Am a man more sinned against than sinning

    27 - Scene Study - The Gloucester Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 5:07


    Cornwall and Edmund in Act 3 Scene 5 - Edmund becomes Earl of Gloucester

    28 - Four Favourite Quotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:52


    Gloucester in Act 3 Scene 3 -Though I die for it—as no less is threatened me—the king my old master must be relieved. Kent to Lear in Act 1 Scene 1 Thou swear'st thy gods in vain. The role of the fool and Cordelia in Act 1 Scene 1 'I cannot heave my heart into my mouth.

    29 - Single Text Question

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 3:00


    Single Text Question - theme, character development and relationships, conflict and dramatic tension, imagery and language.

    30 - Scene Study - Act 3 Scene 7

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 4:34


    The blinding of Gloucester. Cornwall and Regan ‘soul mates in cruelty'

    31 - Three Favourite Quotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:56


    Three Favourite Quotes. Gloucester - ‘ O my follies! Then Edgar was abused. Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him. - Act 3 Scene 7 - Regan's use of animal imagery in Act 3 Scene 7 - In his anointed flesh stick boarish fangs. Goneril in Act 5 Scene 1 I'd rather lose this battle than allow that sister of mine to come between me and Edmund.

    32 - Actor and director Alan Stanford on directing King Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:44


    Actor and director Alan Stanford on directing King Lear. Balancing the Lear and Gloucester stories

    33 - Theme of Blindness in King Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 1:08


    34 - The experiences of Gloucester at the hands of his sons

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:00


    The experiences of Gloucester at the hands of his sons deepens and heightens the experiences of Lear at the hands of his daughters. Exploring the main and subplots. Cog sheet! How to answer a typical exam question interrogated and analysed by introduction, body of answer and conclusion.

    35 - Scene Study - Act 4 Scene 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 5:23


    The word ‘Nothing'. The Theme of Nature - As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods.

    36 - Three Favourite Quotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:06


    Lear in Act 3 Scene 2 - I. Am a man more sinned against than sinning - Gloucester - ‘ O my follies! Then Edgar was abused. Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him. Edmund in Act 1 Scene 2 - Well, then, Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land: Our father's love is to the bastard Edmund As to the legitimate.

    37 - Animal imagery in King Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 1:35


    Animal imagery in King Lear

    38 - The image of the Wheel and the Journey

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 1:41


    The image of the Wheel and the Journey

    39 - Act 4 Scene 6 - Scene Study - Gloucester's ‘death'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 6:03


    Gloucester's ‘death'. The modernity of Shakespeare's writing.

    40 - Three Favourite Quotes

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:50


    Three Favourite Quotes - Lear in Act 5 Scene 3 - We two alone will sing like birds i' th' cage. Goneril in Act 1 Scene 1 - Sir, I do love you more than words can wield the matter, Dearer than eyesight, space, and liberty,.Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare. Edmund in Act 1 Scene 2 - Thou nature art my goddess

    41 - The Theme of Nature in King Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:00


    The Theme of Nature in King Lear

    42 - The Theme of Blindness in King Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:36


    Cog sheet! How to answer a typical exam question interrogated and analysed by introduction, body of answer and conclusion.

    43 - The Main Plot, the Sub Plot and the Parallel Plot

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 6:15


    The Main Plot, the Sub Plot and the Parallel Plot in King Lear - Introduction, expansion, conclusion. Cog sheet! How to answer a typical exam question interrogated and analysed by introduction, body of answer and conclusion

    44 - Scene Study Act 4 Scene 7 - Lear, Cordelia and The Doctor

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 4:55


    Scene Study Act 4 Scene 7 - Lear, Cordelia and The Doctor.

    45 - Cordelia plays a very important role in the play King Lear. Analyse.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:09


    Cog sheet! How to answer a typical exam question interrogated and analysed by introduction, body of answer and conclusion.

    46 - The character of Cordelia

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 6:40


    The character of Cordelia, quiet, economical, determined in 118 lines of visual language (Cog sheet! How to answer a typical exam question interrogated and analysed by introduction, body of answer and conclusion. )

    47 - Why Cordelia and The Fool don't meet in King Lear

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 1:49


    Why Cordelia and The Fool don't meet in King Lear. Some thoughts.

    48 - Act 5 Scene 3 - The final movement - Lear, Cordelia and Edmund

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 5:18


    Act 5 Scene 3 - The final movement - Lear, Cordelia and Edmund. Towards the conclusion of the Lear Story

    49 - Favourite Quotes - Lear in Act 3 Scene 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 1:50


    Favourite Quotes - Lear in Act 3 Scene 2 , I am a man / More sinned against than sinning.

    50 - The Animal imagery in King Lear leaves the most lasting impression - Discuss

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 2:46


    Cog sheet! How to answer a typical exam question interrogated and analysed by introduction, body of answer and conclusion.

    51 - Act 5 Scene 3 - The final movement Edgar meets Edmund.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2021 5:23


    Act 5 Scene 3 - The final movement - Edgar meets Edmund. Towards the conclusion of the Gloucester Story

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