7th May 2018

Exam Paper Practice

Discuss the extent to which you agree with your chosen statement. Respond critically to the statement
by making a close analysis of the text(s).
STATEMENTS (Choose ONE)
1. An effective narrative structure is the key to maintaining the audience’s attention.
2. It is the way that characters change in a text that makes it worth reading.
3. New Zealand writing gives us a lens through which we can see ourselves.
4. A successful text skilfully combines moments of darkness and light.
5. A text set in a challenging environment has much to teach us.
6. By paying attention to the minor characters, we gain a deeper understanding of a text.
7. The careful use of language is what makes a text valuable.
8. The role of a good writer is to challenge the audience’s preconceptions.

This poem in a nutshell is: An aging king who decides to divide up his kingdom between his three daughters (Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia) in order to avoid any conflict after his death. Early retirement and the division of the kingdom turn out to be a big problem tho. Lear’s actions end up destroying his family, tearing apart the kingdom, and causing a big old war, leaving just about everyone dead by the play’s end.

A successful text, skilfully combines,  moments of darkness and light.

Moments of darkness from Lear’s perspective

  • When Lear mistakenly believes that Cordelia is disloyal and orders her “out of [his] sight,” his pal, Kent, gives him the following advice: “See better, Lear”
  • 2
  • 3

Moments of light:

  • Lear is “blind” to the fact Cordelia is the “good” daughter while Goneril and Regan are a couple of evil spawn.
  • 2
  • 3

Introduction:

In the text King Lear, by Shakespeare the moments of light and darkness are skillfully used to write such a successful text. Shakespeare’s alternative writing called iambic pentameter is what made is plays very unique. When reading his one of his most famous scripts (King Lear), the challenging play becomes difficult to comprehend but with every word/line that is drafted, shakespeare portrays distinct meanings and symbols.

P1:

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Writing