King Lear Lesson Plan

Alternate Ending, Part 1

Kind of Activity:

Group Discussion

Objective:

Students will compare two versions of Shakespeare's text.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1

Structure:

Explain to the students that Shakespeare actually wrote at least two endings for King Lear. The ending they have read is largely taken from the one Shakespeare published in the 1623 First Folio, but he actually published a slightly different ending in his 1608 First Quarto. (Don't let the students get their hopes up about this "alternate ending," though! Both endings are tragic and upsetting.)

Have the class look over...