Shakespeare, William: 1564-1616
King Lear, 1608 - Information about the Play
- General Information
-
Good for Discussing:
Destructive Effects of Pride and Betrayal on Family
Tragic Consequences of Human Folly - The play is about an aging king who divides his kingdom among his deceitful daughters, leading to betrayal, madness, and ultimately the destruction of his family and himself. See Summary.
- Information from Wikipedia
- Information from StageAgent
-
Good for Discussing:
- Facts
- King Lear was written about 1605 or 1606. It is based on the legendary King Leir of the Britons, whose story is outlined in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s pseudohistorical History of the Kings of Britain (written in about 1136).
- Madness and Sanity
The descent of King Lear into madness is central to the play. This madness contrasts with the feigned madness of Edgar and the insightful fool, who often speaks truth disguised as folly.Power and Authority
The transfer of power from Lear to his daughters and the subsequent abuse of that power by Goneril and Regan is a critical element. The play explores the consequences of relinquishing authority and the fragile nature of political power.Loyalty and Betrayal
Loyalty is portrayed through characters like Kent and Cordelia, while betrayal is embodied by Goneril, Regan, and Edmund. The contrast between these actions highlights the moral landscape of the play.Justice and Injustice
The play questions the existence of justice in the world, depicting the suffering of good characters and the initial triumph of evil ones. This theme is encapsulated in Gloucester’s line, “As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; / They kill us for their sport.”Blindness and Insight
Literal and metaphorical blindness play significant roles. Lear is blind to the true nature of his daughters, Gloucester is literally blinded, and both characters gain insight through their suffering."King Lear" is considered one of Shakespeare's most profound tragedies. The play’s powerful themes and dramatic intensity resonated with contemporary audiences.Early literary critique, although not as formalized as it is today, indicates that "King Lear" was appreciated for its complex characters and dramatic structure. However, some critics and audiences might have found its tragic ending and bleak portrayal of human nature difficult to reconcile with the prevailing tastes for more optimistic resolutions.
During the Restoration period (1660 onwards), "King Lear" was often adapted to suit contemporary tastes. By the 19th century, there was a revival of interest in Shakespeare’s original text. the 20th and 21st centuries, "King Lear" has been analyzed through various critical lenses, including psychoanalytic, feminist, and postcolonial perspectives. It has been staged in countless productions worldwide, often highlighting different aspects of its themes, from familial relationships to political power struggles.
The dynamics between Lear and his daughters, as well as the subplot involving Gloucester and his sons, underscore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of misjudgment.
Overall, "King Lear" has been perceived as one of Shakespeare's most powerful and tragic works, with its early reception highlighting its dramatic impact and its lasting legacy cementing its status as a masterpiece of English literature.
- Reader Rating:
- Commentary
- "King Lear,"" one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies, explores themes of power, loyalty, madness, and familial betrayal. The play centers on the aging King Lear, who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their declarations of love for him. His misguided judgment leads to catastrophic consequences as his elder daughters, Goneril and Regan, betray him, while his youngest, Cordelia, remains loyal despite her initial rejection.
Shakespeare masterfully portrays the fragility of human nature through Lear’s descent into madness and the stark contrasts between selfish ambition and genuine love. The parallel subplot involving Gloucester and his sons, Edgar and Edmund, reinforces the central themes of deception and redemption.
The storm scenes, both literal and metaphorical, symbolize the chaos unleashed by Lear’s actions. Ultimately, "King Lear" is a poignant exploration of human suffering and the pursuit of truth, reminding audiences of the consequences of pride and the redemptive power of humility and love.
- Articles: General Information | Detailed/Scholarly Information
- General Information:
- Review: "The article gives a basic summary of King Lear and shares the reviewer’s personal reading experience." The Melodramatic Bookworm; April 5, 2017
- Review: "The review offers some personal insight and commentary." Nut free nerd; September 21, 2015
- Emma Smith, Oxford University, lectures about King Lear and the question of tragedy and why it gives pleasure: "The audio is an informative academic lecture that offers a thoughtful critical perspective on King Lear, focusing on how generations of critics (and even Shakespeare himself in textual variants) have shaped our understanding of the play and its tragic ending."
- Audio (2:14)
The structure and economy of King Lear and many more audios: "The episode gives a brief, accessible look at the language and structure of King Lear." RTÉ Radio; March 9, 2021 - The use of blindness in King Lear: "The article gives a clear explanation of how Shakespeare uses blindness (literal for Gloucester and metaphorical for Lear) to show characters’ lack of insight and the tragic consequences that follow."
- Shakespeare Wrote Three of His Famous Tragedies During Turbulent Times: 'King Lear,' 'Macbeth' and 'Antony and Cleopatra'
"The article gives some historical context linking King Lear to real‑world events like the Gunpowder Plot and plague in 1606." - Christopher Plummer on the Different Versions of King Lear: "The piece offers some interesting historical insight (like how alternate versions of King Lear once existed) and expert commentary by Christopher Plummer and a theatre historian". PBS; January 30, 2015
- Madness Portrayal in "King Lear." "The video offers a moderately informative explanation of King Lear’s portrayal of madness within Shakespeare’s tragedy."
- Video (24:23)
"King Lear" and Our Uncertain World: "The audio offers a reasonably insightful and thoughtful discussion of King Lear, drawing connections between the play’s themes (aging, chaos, human folly, family dynamics, inequality) and contemporary concerns." (with transcript) Doctoroff Media Group - Video(1:36)
"The episode is just a very short performance extract with brief interview clips."
King Lear's Madness - Detailed/Scholarly Information:
- The play’s dark story proved too bleak for many, as for 150 years from the late 17th century on it was only presented in a corrupted version which inserted a happy ending in which King Lear and his daughter Cordelia survive. The Play Podcast with Paul Prescott, Universities of Warwick and California. November 17, 2023
"The article/interview offers a rich, insightful discussion of King Lear, connecting the play’s themes of aging, folly, family, and chaos to contemporary times and providing thoughtful reflections on character, madness, and meaning."
- The story of Lear is an ancient and ultimately happy one. But in the hands of William Shakespeare it became a shocking and violent vision of a broken family in a godless universe.
- One of William Shakespeare's most important works, which should be read not viewed.
"It’s a fairly in‑depth literary discussion of King Lear that goes beyond a simple summary and explores themes and interpretation."