King Lear by William Shakespeare
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About this Public Domain Book
This full text of King Lear has entered the public domain in the UK and is now freely available. It may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without any restrictions. We are providing it for free distribution and use by individuals for non-commercial purposes. Please note that the copyright status in other countries may vary, so it is advisable to check the copyright laws of your specific jurisdiction before reproducing, distributing, or transmitting the text.
Download King Lear by William Shakespeare As A Free Ebook
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First published: 1608
Number of Words: 28,000
Avg. Time to Read: 2 - 2.5 hours
Description:
King Lear is considered one of William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, written sometime between 1603-1606. The play tells the tale of the aging King Lear who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. When his youngest daughter Cordelia refuses to satisfy his demand for protestations of love, Lear divides the kingdom between the two deceitful elder daughters. Their false flattery leads Lear to a breakdown as he discovers too late the true natures of his children. The themes of greed, betrayal, revenge and familial love gone awry make King Lear one of Shakespeare’s most moving and emotionally devastating works.
In King Lear, Shakespeare delves deeply into human psychology and the nature of power, aging, and familial bonds. Lear’s gradual descent into madness as he comes to terms with his misjudgments about those closest to him is a profoundly moving portrayal of a fall from majesty. Alongside Lear’s tragedy, Shakespeare weaves the plots of the Earl of Gloucester, also undone by his corrupt children, and the loyal Earl of Kent who is exiled by Lear. The bleak moorland setting during a wild storm depicts the chaos and upheaval within Lear’s kingdom and mind.
King Lear proved an immense success with audiences and readers. Though a tragedy of considerable darkness, Shakespeare grounds the work in universal human truths and insights into betrayal, justice, loyalty and the fragility of love and power. These themes have ensured King Lear remains one of the most enduring and profoundly moving plays in the English literary canon.
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