King LearBookRix, 2014 M06 7 - 110 pages King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character descends into madness after foolishly disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological pre-Roman Celtic king. Considered one of four "core tragedies" (Hamlet, Othello, and Macbeth), King Lear commences with Lear, having achieved great age but little wisdom, dividing his kingdom among his three daughters in return for their proclamations of love for him. Two of his daughters, evil to the core, falsely profess their love, while Cordelia, his good and true daughter, refuses his request. Enraged, Lear gives his kingdom to his evil daughters and banishes Cordelia. Lear pays a dear price for this rash act. The play systematically strips him of his kingdom, title, retainers, clothes, and sanity in a process so cruel and unrelenting as to be nearly unendurable. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Alack answer arms Attendants bear bring brother Burgundy comes Cordelia Corn Cornwall daughter dead dear death dost doth Dover draw Duke Edgar Edmund Enter Exeunt Exit eyes father fear feel fellow fire Fool fortune foul France Gent give Gloster Glou gods gone Goneril grace hand hast hath head hear heart heavens hither hold honour horse I'll keep Kent kind king knave lady Lear leave less letter live look lord madam master means mind nature never night noble nuncle Officer Oswald poor pray Regan Scene seek Servants serve sister slave speak stand storm sword tears tell thee there's thine thing thou thou art thought traitor true trumpet turn villain wind wits