LESSON NOTE ON LITERATURE-IN-ENGLISH SSS2 2ND TERM
CLASS: SSS2 Second Term
Based on 2026-2030 WAEC/JAMB approved reading texts
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WEEK 1: ———————————————————– page2 Revision of First term Work & Introduction of the 2nd Term Scheme. Non-African Drama – “A Man for all Seasons” by Robert Bolt Background and Setting of the Play Plot Summary Evaluation Questions WEEK 2 – 4: ———————————————————– page6 WEEK 5: ———————————————————– page10 WEEK 6: ———————————————————– page14 WEEK 7: ———————————————————– page17 WEEK 8: ———————————————————– page18 WEEK 9: ———————————————————– page24 WEEK 10: ———————————————————– page32 Evaluation Questions WEEK 11: ———————————————————– page44 |
WEEK ONE
NON-AFRICAN DRAMA – “A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS” BY ROBERT BOLT
Content:
• Non-African Drama – “A Man for all Seasons” by Robert Bolt
• Background and Setting of the Play
• Plot Summary
BACKGROUND AND SETTINGS
The playwright, Robert Bolt was born in 1924 in Manchester, England. He worked at an insurance company; he attended Manchester University; he served in the Royal Air Force and fought in World War II. He had been working as a school teacher in England when his play Flowering Cherry landed a significant success.
A Man for All Seasons is a play by Robert Bolt based on the life of Sir Thomas More. He had written an early form of the play for BBC Radio in 1954, and a one-hour live television version was later produced.
The plot is based on the historical events leading up to the execution of More, the 16th-century Chancellor of England, who refused to endorse Henry VIII’s wish to divorce his wife Catherine of Aragon, who did not bear him a son, so that he could marry Anne Boleyn, the sister of his former mistress.
The play portrays More as a man of principle, envied by rivals such as Thomas Cromwell, but loved by the common people and by his family.
PLOT SUMMARY
Sir Thomas More, a scholar and statesman, objects to King Henry VIII’s plan to divorce and remarry in order to father a male heir. But More, ever the diplomat, keeps quiet about his feelings in the hopes that Henry will not bother him about the matter. At a meeting with Cardinal Wolsey, Lord Chancellor of England, More reviews the letter to Rome that requests the pope’s approval of Henry’s divorce. More points out that the pope provided a dispensation, or exemption, in order for Henry to get married in the first place, since Catherine, the woman Henry married, was the widow of Henry’s brother. More doubts that the pope will agree to overturn his first dispensation. Wolsey accuses More of being too moralistic and recommends that he be more practical.
After conversing with Wolsey, More runs into…Download the full lesson note here
EVALUATION 1
1. Who is the author of the play A Man for All Seasons? A) William Shakespeare B) Robert Bolt C) Thomas Cromwell D) George Bernard Shaw
2. The play is based on the life of which historical figure? A) King Henry VIII B) Thomas Cromwell C) Sir Thomas More D) Cardinal Wolsey
3. What is the central conflict that leads to Sir Thomas More’s execution? A) His refusal to pay taxes to the King B) His refusal to endorse Henry VIII’s divorce and the Act of Supremacy C) His secret alliance with the King of Spain D) His attempt to become the King of England
4. Who was Henry VIII’s first wife, whom he wished to divorce? A) Anne Boleyn B) Jane Seymour C) Catherine of Aragon D) Mary Tudor
5. Why did Henry VIII specifically want to divorce his first wife? A) She was a Lutheran heretic B) She did not bear him a male heir C) She was plotting to kill him D) She was the sister of Thomas Cromwell
6. Which character serves as the “Common Man” and takes on various roles like the servant and jailer? A) Richard Rich B) Matthew C) Thomas Cromwell D) Signor Chapuys
7. Why does More initially refuse to let Roper marry his daughter, Margaret? A) Roper is too poor B) Roper is a Lutheran (whom More considers a heretic) C) Roper is a spy for Cromwell D) Roper refused to fight in the war
8. Who succeeds Cardinal Wolsey as the Lord Chancellor of England? A) Thomas Cromwell B) The Duke of Norfolk C) Sir Thomas More D) Richard Rich
9. What object does More give to Richard Rich, which later becomes a point of contention regarding bribery? A) A gold necklace B) A silver cup C) A leather-bound book D) A signet ring
10. How does Thomas Cromwell characterize his own role to Richard Rich and Chapuys? A) He is a man of deep religious faith B) He simply does whatever the King wants done C) He is More’s most loyal friend D) He is the secret King of England
11. What is More’s reaction when the King visits him at his Chelsea home? A) He agrees to the divorce immediately B) He flees to Spain C) He tells the King he cannot agree to the divorce D) He asks for more money to support the divorce
12. What does the Act of Supremacy establish? A) That Sir Thomas More is the head of the Church B) That the Pope has final authority over England C) That King Henry VIII is the head of the Church in England D) That England will become a Lutheran nation
13. Why does More refuse to explain his reasons for resigning to his own family? A) He doesn’t trust them B) He wants to protect them from being forced to testify against him C) He is ashamed of his decision D) He has forgotten his reasons
14. Which character is tempted by Cromwell with the opportunity for advancement in exchange for information? A) The Duke of Norfolk B) Richard Rich C) Signor Chapuys D) Thomas Cranmer
15. What is the “Loyal Subject” in the play? A) A title given to More by the King B) A local pub where Cromwell and Rich conspire C) The name of the King’s boat D) A book written by More
16. Why is Cromwell initially unable to bring bribery charges against More involving the silver cup? A) The cup was stolen B) More never received the cup C) Norfolk proves More gave it away as soon as he realized it was a bribe D) Rich lost the cup in a bet
17. What does the second Act passed by Parliament require subjects to swear an oath to? A) The King’s supremacy and the validity of his divorce B) The Pope’s supremacy over the King C) A vow of poverty D) More’s innocence
18. What specific office is Richard Rich given in exchange for his false testimony at More’s trial? A) Lord Chancellor B) Attorney General for Wales C) Cardinal of London D) Secretary to the King
19. What is the false testimony Richard Rich provides during the trial? A) He claims More tried to kill the King B) He claims he heard More deny the King’s authority over the Church C) He claims More stole money from the treasury D) He claims More is a secret Lutheran
20. How does Sir Thomas More face his death at the end of the play? A) He dies in a state of panic and fear B) He begs for mercy from the King C) He goes to his death with dignity and composure D) He escapes at the last minute to Spain
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