AP English Literature Period 1

Carefully read King Lear-- all of Act I, scene 1 (ending on page 29 in the purple text)and respond to the following close reading questions: 1. Is it wrong for a parent to demand a show of love, and to attach such shows to receiving "things"? 2. Do you think King Lear would have demanded his sons proclaim their love for him, had he sons? If not, why do you think he demands his daughters profess their love for him publically before they are privy to the wealth of the kingdom? 3. When Kent says, " I thought thet King had more affected the Duke of Albany than (the Duke) of Cornwall" he is essentially saying, "I thought the King more loved the Duke of Albany than Cornwall. If the King likes or loves the Duke of Albany more than the Duke of Cornwall, then why does he treat them the same and give them equal shares of the kingdom? Is Lear attempting to be fair? Why? 4. What purpose does the conversation between Gloucester and Kent serve? What subjects arise from their conversation? (opening scene). 5. Why does Lear divide his kingdom while he is alive anyway? 6. What does Lear give to Goneril? Regan? 7. How does Cordelia support her claim that she loves her father....even more than her sisters? 8. Explain the irony in the play when Lear states, "Let pride, which she calls plainness, marry her." line 145 in purple King Lear text. 9. What happens to Kent? Why is Lear angry at him? 10. Although she is dowerless (without a dowry), someone decides to marry Cordelia. Who decides to marry her and for what reasons?

AP English Literature Period 3

1. Finish the characterization assignement. Then, Re-read Oedipus up to page 47. 1. How did Oedipus come to kill Lauis? What event, that is, prompted him to leave Corinth and arrive in Thebes? 2. What is significant or why is it significant that Laius was killed where three roads meet? 3. How does Jocaste think that she outsmarts Apollo, the god of the Oracle? 4. On page 33, Creon gives a powerful retort to Oedipus in which he explains why he would not need to overtake Oedipus' throne. What does Creon say? Why is his argument (claim) so impressive? 5. At what point in the play can you tell that the table are indeed changing for Oedipus? 6. Style: Select a line from either Creon, Oedipus or Jocaste that you like because it sounds wonderful or is memorable. Write it down!