Skip to main content

Back to all resources

KS4 KS5

King Lear: Themes - Shakespeare - education resource

Drama English Performing Arts
Two men sit chained to a pedestal with

Overview

Explore key themes in King Lear.

These short videos combine performance extracts with interviews with the cast and director of the National Theatre’s 2014 production of King Lear.

Learning outcomes

Designed to support students studying the play as part of a GCSE or A Level course in Drama or English Literature, with a particular focus on the play’s themes.

Watch

A group of people stand behind a long table on a dimly lit stage. Overhead lights hang above, and several dark figures watch from the background. The scene is formal and oppresive.
Play Video

A Dictator’s Regime

Play Video:

A Dictator’s Regime
A woman in a fur coat stands over a man in a white shirt and waistcoat, against a statue pillar reading
Play Video

A Violent World

Play Video:

A Violent World
A man with a white beard and hair passionately gestures with arms outstretched, wearing a white shirt and black vest, against a dark background.
Play Video

The Storm

Play Video:

The Storm
A group of men are engaged in a tense scene at a dining table. One man sitting wears a coat and gestures strongly, while others in dark clothing surround the table, standing or sitting. They are all staring at a man on the floor who seems to have been struck down.
Play Video

Lear’s Madness

Play Video:

Lear’s Madness
A bearded man with a serious expression is seated against a dark background, wearing a pale long-sleeve shirt.
Play Video

The Language of Madness

Play Video:

The Language of Madness
A person in a plaid suit and purple glasses stands with hands raised playfully, resembling a rabbit. Behind, several people dressed in black smile and watch.
Play Video

Truth and Perception

Play Video:

Truth and Perception

Production information

Olivier Theatre, 2014.

King Lear by William Shakespeare; directed by Sir Sam Mendes; design by Anthony Ward; lighting design by Paul Pyant; sound design by Paul Arditti; music by Paddy Cunneen; projection design by Jon Driscoll; fight direction by Terry King.

Photos © Mark Douet

Suitability

Suitable for 14+/KS4+

Keywords

King Lear, Shakespeare, Madness, Sam Mendes, Simon Russell Beale, A Level, GCSE English, GCSE Drama

More to explore

King Lear: Talking Lear Series - Shakespeare - education resource
KS4 KS5
A woman in a black lace dress aggressively holds the face of a man in a long dark coat. They stand closely together on a dimly lit stage with a large statue in the background. The man's expression is tense. The woman clearly holds the status in this moment.

King Lear: Talking Lear Series - Shakespeare - education resource

Drama English Performing Arts
King Lear: Characters - Shakespeare - education resource
KS4 KS5
A person with a beard lies in a hospital bed under white sheets, asleep. A young woman stands beside the bed, looking intently at the one lying down.

King Lear: Characters - Shakespeare - education resource

Drama English Performing Arts
Hamlet - Shakespeare - education resource
KS4 KS5
Actor Rory Kinnear laughing whilst lying in a suitcase, a production image from the 2010 National Theatre production of Hamlet

Hamlet - Shakespeare - education resource

Drama English Performing Arts
Othello - Shakespeare - education resource
KS4 KS5
A woman and a man in military uniform embrace. They are surrounded by other people in military uniform.

Othello - Shakespeare - education resource

Drama English Performing Arts
Twelfth Night - Shakespeare - education resource
KS4 KS5
A (Oliver Chris) man wearning a patterned blue suit, strides across stage, a bunch of flowers in one hand and a teddy bear in the other. A sports car, scooter and musicians are in the background.

Twelfth Night - Shakespeare - education resource

Drama English Performing Arts
Online exhibition: Shakespeare at the National Theatre
KS3 KS4 KS5
Two actors sit near each other on a stage. One is dressed in Roman armour and the other is in an elaborate dress. The picture is in black and white.

Online exhibition: Shakespeare at the National Theatre

Drama English Performing Arts
A classroom of pupils watching the NT Collection on a screen.

National Theatre Collection

Watch selected shows on National Theatre Collection – the best of British Theatre, streaming direct into your classroom.
Free for all UK state schools (primary and secondary) and FE colleges.

National Theatre Collection
A picture of the Archive research room, people sifting through archive material and others sat at a computer with headphones

Archive

Our Archive holds a treasure trove of performance material, including recordings and photographs of our productions.
Free to visit and open to everyone by appointment. School groups are welcome.

Archive
The writer Winsome Pinnock during rehearsals for her play, Leave Taking, in 1995 - holding a hot drink whilst someone points a pencil at a script

The Black Plays Archive

An online catalogue of the first professional production in the UK of plays written by Black British, African, and Caribbean playwrights. Explore our specially written resources for teachers and educators.

 

The Black Plays Archive