King Lear (Penguin Classics) by Shakespeare, William (July 30, 2015) Paperback

by William Shakespeare

A tragedy by William Shakespeare in which the titular character descends into madness after disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all.

Genres: Classics, Theatre

Paperback

About the author

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".

Reviews

[Nat K]

Time for a re-read.

"How sharper than a serpent's tooth..."

[Diete Sercu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit confusing I guess?

[Jorunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ik ben heel confused maar het was wel entertaining

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This classic tale reminded me of the old saying: "treat others how you would want to be treated" as well as the commandment "honour thy father and mother" or else pay the price for cruelty, disrespect and lies.
(Riches and power cannot buy contentment).
In the climax to the end, it was heartwrenchingly tragic although the loyalty shown by Cordelia even when her father chided her for not flattering him above all others was the epitome of sheer human kindness and the utmost respect- she being the truly humane of the three daughters.
This was my first foray into the story of King Lear and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Christian Matson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well... at some point I had to encounter a one-star Shakespeare play; looks like Lear is going to be that play for me. I thought the start of the play was interesting, but things never really picked up after that. The characters were meh, the plot was banal, the ending was horrible. I had no personal connection to any of the characters whatsoever (so once someone died, I shrugged my shoulders and moved on). I would like to read Lear again someday, hopefully getting something out of it.
Not all literature can be perfect! So, we pick up another book and try again!

[milo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was funny, then interesting, then boring. At no point was it what I think it tried to be. It was as though Shakespeare had forgotten to kill anyone until the end, at which point he killed everyone and their deaths felt virtually meaningless and hollow.
Still, the book was entertaining while it lasted and I was never upset with it for how it went; at worst I was bored or peeved.

[Michelle Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Dame Judi Dench’s book about Shakespeare the man who pays the rent I decided to give King Lear a try, got lost in places but made it through. I may or may not read some more, that is the question.

[D G24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply, one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written. Shakespeare is the master craftsman, and Lear is one of many examples of why he is just that. Deep, profound, heartbreaking, challenging; a beautifully written work of literary power. Read it. Re-read it. Read it again.

[Jonathan Dunne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It reminded me of my wife’s family.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Shakespeare play thus far, I really enjoyed reading it!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the BBC Radio production which I'm counting as a read so this is the closest thing. Man, this play never gets old.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este livro mudou o meu status de Shakespeare hater

[Zoe Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

shit.

[Paul Besley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this as much as Hamlet, mainly because the introduction and commentary were poorer than Hamlet, which was a shame. I will have to try another edition.

[Sona Kurella · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You have seen
Sunshine and rain at once—her smiles and tears
Were like a better way. Those happy smilets
That played on her ripe lip seemed not to know
What guests were in her eyes, which parted thence
As pearls from diamonds dropped. In brief,
Sorrow would be a rarity most beloved
If all could so become it."