York Notes Advanced on "King Lear" by William Shakespeare

by Rebecca Warren

Book by Warren, Rebecca

Genres: Nonfiction, Plays, Classics, Shakespeare

Paperback

First published March 16, 1998

Reviews

[Mohammed AlNuwaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Tragedy of King Lear redefines the concept of tragedy in profound ways. The story begins with King Lear testing his daughters’ love through words, a seemingly simple act that sets the stage for his downfall. The two eldest daughters, whose flattering words conceal their deceit, become the source of his deepest sorrow and anguish. In contrast, his youngest daughter, whom he banishes for supposedly loving him the least, ultimately proves her devotion by standing by his side in his final moments. The play’s culmination, marked by the deaths of all major characters, underscores a powerful and universal truth: that regardless of status or intentions, we all meet the same inevitable end.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this among a list of graphic novels offered at my library.

I first read King Lear in college and did not enjoy this version very much. King Lear has 3 daughters and asks all 3 to declare their love in order to get their inheritance. In the end they all die as well as many others. All because the king's ego needs a boost. Cordelia loves him but dies anyway. Betrayal. Treachery. Greed.

[Amanuel Sahilu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t have the words for this, so I’ll use Hazlitt’s:

“We wish that we could pass this play over, and say nothing about it. All that we can say must fall far short of the subject; or even of what we ourselves conceive of it. To attempt to give a description of the play itself or of its effect upon the mind, is mere impertinence: yet we must say something.—It is then the best of all Shakespeare's plays, for it is the one in which he was the most in earnest.“

[Federico Rosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

great summary but misses the greatest parts

The mad scene, seeing Cordelia and his daughters as a child again, the windstorm it all felt somewhat rushed and thus renders the play merely a series of pointless tragedies without any redeeming qualities or lessons to learn from.
In a sense it is almost like a horror film.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edited and rendered into modern English by Alan Durband. Increased one's understanding of Shakespear.

[Mills College Library]

EBOOK

[Helen Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for work but really enjoyed. Lots of good stuff

[Mona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Triumph, my Britain, thou hastone to show,
to whom all scenes of Europe homage owe
He was not of an age, but for all time.
" Rival Ben Janson"