Lesson 6

Before you start

Go back and skim read the scene. Discuss these questions in pairs?

1. Why is Goneril unhappy about Edmund working for Regan? She believes Edmund will work with her sister, Regan, to take power from her.
2. How does King Lear feel when he meets Cordelia? He feels foolish, but he is happy to be with Cordelia. He asks her to forgive him.

Vocabulary

1. Complete the sentences with these words from the play.

1. I don’t trust him, he stole some money from our teacher.
2. My brother is learning to play the trumpet.
3. Men and women earn equal pay when they do the same job.
4. The officers told the soliders where to go.
5. If you don’t get anything to eat you’ll strave.
6. The French army invaded Britain.
7. The children suffered from the cold in winter.
8. It’s unkind to keep an animal in a cage.

2. Find these phrases in the text and choose the correct answer.

1. When Edmund says, “Now it is time for me to start to take control of the kingdom! ” he means that …..
A. he wants to manage the situation.
B. he is now the king.
C. he will have power.

2. When Edgar says, “This is a bitter pill to swallow.” he means that …...
A. he needs to take some medicine.
B. the situation is difficult, but he has to accept it.
C. he needs to leave immediately.

Reading

3. Arrange these events in order on the timeline.

A. King Lear loses the battle against the French.
B. Cordelia asks her father if he knows her.
C. Regan asks Edmund to help her take power from Goneril.
D. Edgar gives Albany a letter.
E. Regan tells Edmund that she doesn’t trust her sister.
F. Edmund sends Lear and Cordelia to prison.

4. Are these statements true (T) or false (F)? Correct the false sentences.

1. Lear finally realises that Cordelia is his daughter. T
2. Lear tells Cordelia to drink poison with him. F. Lear says that he'll drink the poison if Cordelia has any.
3. Edmund tells both Regan and Goneril that he will help them. T
4. Cordelia isn’t worried about herself, only about her father. T
5. Edmund tells Albany that nobody likes the king. F. Edmund says that he doesn't want anyone to see the king or they may feel sorry for him.
6. Albany says that Edmund is his equal. F. Albany says Edmund is a good soldier but not his equal.