| Author |
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 |
| Title |
King Lear
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 89.3 (6th grade). Easy to read.
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| Summary |
"King Lear" by William Shakespeare is a tragic play believed to have been written in the early 17th century. The play explores themes of power, betrayal, and madness through the story of King Lear, who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on who loves him most. This decision leads to his tragic downfall and the unraveling of familial bonds. The opening of "King Lear" introduces key characters such as King Lear, his daughters Gonerill, Regan, and Cordelia, along with loyal subjects like Kent and Gloucester. Lear's intent to divide his kingdom sets the stage for conflict, as he asks each daughter to declare her love for him. Gonerill and Regan flatter him with extravagant declarations, while Cordelia speaks less but more truthfully. Lear's anger at Cordelia’s perceived lack of affection leads to her disinheritance, establishing the initial rift that will drive the play’s tragic events. The tension escalates as Lear's inability to see his daughters' true natures and his own foolishness become apparent, foreshadowing the chaos to come. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
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| Subject |
Tragedies
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| Subject |
Kings and rulers -- Succession -- Drama
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| Subject |
Fathers and daughters -- Drama
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| Subject |
Inheritance and succession -- Drama
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| Subject |
Lear, King (Legendary character) -- Drama
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| Subject |
Britons -- Drama
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| Subject |
Kings and rulers -- Drama
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| Subject |
Aging parents -- Drama
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
2266 |
| Release Date |
Jul 1, 2000 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Apr 3, 2015 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
180 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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