(OCR) A2 English Literature *F663* | 2016 Official Thread

I don't think 3 is enough, my English teacher told me to learn at least 5-7 critical quotes for each theme


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Thank you so much for reading my essay!
This is reassuring. Hopefully, I can replicate this in the actual exam. *Fingers crossed*

Hi, this is my essay on Nature for King Lear.. Are there any improvements that I can make to it? Should I add more critics?

Sam - you're going to get an A* no doubt!

Hope you don't mind me commenting, since you've received loads of feedback already!
Your integration of critics in this essay is brilliant, and your vocabulary is amazing- seriously, this reads so so well!

A couple of general points for nature:
1. If you're mentioning superfluous displays of emotion in your intro, I think it'd be useful to comment on the storm scene in particular- how the harsh, physical landscape is a direct reflection of Lear's inner turmoil and conflict. Whilst I see your essay is more weighted towards nature as in the more metaphorical sense, some elaboration on the importance of physical landscapes might be useful
2. Your points on natural order are particularly strong and well argued!
3. A good quote to consider for Edmund could be this: "Thou, Nature, art my goddess", from the start of his first soliloquy- Edmund is invoking nature's destructive potential in order to serve his own purposes, and since nature is personified as female this could be a rejection of then commonly held notions of a patriarchal god. He does not seek union with nature, but wants to utilise it to destroy natural order. This might tie in well with your final G. Wilson Knight quote!

Hi everyone! not gonna lie I'm kind of bricking it for this exam! If anyone has any quote learning tips please do share

AS Grade: A
A2 Personal Target Grade: A/A*
Section A: King Lear
Section B: The White Devil and Paradise Lost

Thank you so much for the feedback! Your points on Edmund and the physical landscapes are absolutely fantastic!

It's given me some ideas...

For example, the deviation from hegemonic masculinity via feminine forces like nature could tie in with Lear relinquishing his power and status, and giving the Kingdom to Goneril and Reagan. They could possibly be an embodiment of the societal aversion toward the idea of a matriarchy.
Many were apprehensive about Queen Elizabeth ruling the country. Even going as far as to write books about it: http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/firblast.htm

I also think the aggressive imagery that accompanies nature, such as "sulfurous" fires and the "cracking" of cheeks could possibly be an allusion to Goneril and Reagan's transgressive attributes. Could also be linked to the frequent animalistic imagery that is often attributed to them.

"teemed" - often used when referring to an animal that has given birth... not very nice.
"serpent" - alludes to the Genesis story of Adam and Eve... Intertextual reference to Macbeth? Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to "be the serpent underneath the flower".
"detested kite"

Also, there is the cultural/social notion that women are prone to making arbitrary decisions. That they are impulsive and unbridled. The dynamics of Lear's relationship with his daughters are based on control, as evidenced by Lear's use of imperatives when addressing his daughters "which of you doth love us most", and the way they reply to him as well! "Sir, I love you more than words can wield matter", the formal tone that accompanies a supposed declaration of love toward one's father, is quite jarring tbh.

About learning quotes..
You don't have to memorise the quote in its entirety, just learn individual words from your selection of quotes. It makes it easier to purposely take the word out of context in order to fit the "narrative" of the question.

Oh, and also for critics.. I usually learn segments of the actual quote, for example, what I did in that nature essay is that I took an Onyette quotation and only included the beginning of the quote. This basically makes the critic quotes relevant to any question!

Those are all excellent points! Particularly about women, it's a great way to tie in context about misogyny- Lear claims that "But to the girdle do the gods inherit; beneath is all the fiends". The comparison of women and the devil, as well as the frequent comparisons to animals definitely highlights a sense of moral degradation! Nice link to Lady Macbeth, another arguably transgressive female figure.

If we're talking about the love test, then I think it's important to note that Lear is forcing familial love, normally very private, to become a public spectacle. He is literally pitting his own children against each other to fight for his love, which arguably precludes the nature of his demands of authentic love.
Goneril and Regan's extensive usage of hyperbole really highlights how fake their proclamations are- it almost comes across as overcompensating? And I definitely agree with the whole jarring formality thing too- it makes their words seem heartless and empty.
Contrast that with Cordelia's pure affection and truth, which Lear in his folly mistakes for a challenge to his patriarchal authority.

Lear's journey and suffering allows him to see his own mistakes and failings as a ruler ("O I have ta'en/Too little care of this" and as a father ("Pray you now, forget and forgive./I am old and foolish.) - he learns to see the flaws in his own human nature.

Oh my God! Thank you so much for sharing your ideas. They are great and incredibly helpful!

No problem! It's helping me revise this all too tbh! (plus it's always nice to see a kpop fan )

Bloody hell that's some analysis from you lot. I'm only crying out for a C grade in this but wow the level of English you lot have is something else and ideas.

I know right? Penguindrum is on a whole other level!

And, I'm sure you'll be surprised that you can achieve higher than your predicted grades! Don't doubt yourself.

It's not about using really fancy vocabulary (it still has to have a formal tone, though) but more about being tactical.

You could literally achieve 26+ marks with a "simple" essay. What catches a lot of people out is that a lot of people don't link back to the question. Or sometimes what they write is not relevant to what has been asked. You could write an essay that is literally post-graduate level but if you're not engaging with the question, you may get lower marks.

I echo this my teacher said last year about 7 critics quotes for Lear (did not specify what themes just to have about 7 critics quotes max). Also do not rely on one critic too heavily

7,300 words of 'King Lear' critics if anyone is interested. This is what I do in my spare time!!!

Oh my god, this is so amazing! Thanks so much, I'll definitely be using it!

Haha at least your spare time is spent productively