Question for October 17: King Lear, Act 4

"O, matter and impertinency mixed!  Reason in madness!" says Edgar in 4.6.171-72, in response to a speech Lear makes after he has indured the storm of the previous night.  In his torment, Lear has gone mad (in the sense of insane, not angry).  The play is filled with characters who are foolish, or mentally deranged--or who pretend to be.  The Fool is "foolish," but speaks with wisdom.  Edgar pretends to be insane to escape the insanity of a world which has put a price on his head, although he has done no wrong.  What about Lear?  Why has he gone mad?  Are there any benefits to being "mad"?  What does Lear lose by being mad?  What does he gain?  Comment upon Lear and his madness, as seen in Act 4.

Question for October 14: King Lear, Act III

It could be argued that Lear's command, "Saddle my horses," near the end of Act I summarizes Lear's discoveries in Act I.  By the end of the first act, Lear has an inkling that he has made a big mistake by trusting in the love of Goneril and rejecting Cordelia.  He must ride away from the daughter he earlier believed would take care of him.  In the same way, the commands of Regan and Cornwall to "Shut the doors," and lock Lear out, at the end of Act II, summarize what happens in that act.  Lear is shut out not only from the warmth of Regan's castle, but also from the possibility of any warmth in the hearts of his two oldest daughters.  What lines do you nominate from Act III that serve a similar summarizing function?  Explain your answer.

Question for October 12: King Lear, Act II

For Wednesday's blog, let's consider the subplot of the play, Gloucester and his relationship with his two sons, Edgar and Edmund.  How does Gloucester resemble Lear?  How do the sons' motivations parallel those of Cordelia, Goneril and Regan?

Question for October 10: King Lear, Act 1

In Act I, Lear and his favorite daughter have a terrible quarrel.  What does Lear want and why doesn't Cordelia give it to him?

Question for October 3: Doctor Faustus (pp. 1041-55)

Throughout the play, Doctor Faustus has chances to repent and renounce Lucifer.  Why doesn't he repent?

Question for September 30: Doctor Faustus (pp. 1022-41)

In Christopher Marlowe's play, "The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus," the title character sells his soul to Lucifer in exchange for twenty-four years of otherworldly power.  What seems to be the motive of Faustus?  He wants power, certainly, but on the surface of it, this seems like an extremely shortsighted bargain.  What is your informed hypothesis, based on your reading of the play so far?

Question for September 28: Sidney (2:00 class)

Sir Phillip Sidney has been called "the logician in love"--meaning that his sonnets about Stella show his interest in logical thinking rather than great passion.  Based on your reading of sonnets 1, 20, 47 and 91 (pages 975-76, 979, 983, and 989-90), what do you think?  Are you convinced that Sidney is in love, or is he merely trying to impress his readers?  Use examples from the sonnets to back up your answer.