Project Gutenberg 1999-06-01 Public domain in the USA. 233 Shakespeare, William 1564 1616 Shakspeare, William Shakspere, William King Lear Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Lear There are improved editions of this title. See eBook #100 (the Complete Shakespeare) as well as #1532 (this specific play). "King Lear" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written during the early 17th century. The play explores themes of power, family dynamics, and madness through the story of King Lear, who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their professions of love for him. The tragic misjudgments that result from his decision set off a chain of events leading to suffering and chaos. The opening of the play introduces King Lear as he prepares to divide his kingdom, calling upon his daughters to declare their love for him. Lear's elder daughters, Goneril and Regan, offer grand and insincere flattery, while his youngest daughter, Cordelia, chooses to speak truthfully and is cast aside as a result. This sets the stage for themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the consequences of folly. Additionally, we are introduced to major supporting characters, including Gloucester and his sons, Edmund and Edgar, whose own subplot of deception and loyalty mirrors Lear's tragic fall. The opening scenes establish a sense of impending tragedy as familial bonds unravel amidst the chaos of ambition and resentment. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Reading ease score: 93.7 (5th grade). Very easy to read. en Tragedies (Drama) Fathers and daughters -- Drama Inheritance and succession -- Drama Lear, King (Legendary character) -- Drama Britons -- Drama Kings and rulers -- Drama Aging parents -- Drama PR Text Best Books Ever Listings Category: Plays/Films/Dramas Category: Classics of Literature Category: British Literature 260600 2025-07-01T10:45:04.686317 text/html 260413 2025-01-07T18:29:51.054338 text/html 157268 2025-07-01T10:45:11.508267 application/epub+zip 157089 2025-07-01T10:45:06.742330 application/epub+zip 157089 2025-07-01T10:45:05.446295 application/epub+zip 302570 2025-07-01T10:45:14.337321 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 270956 2025-07-01T10:45:10.494269 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 230175 2022-08-01T10:34:31.621386 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 205707 2025-07-01T10:45:04.319322 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 185961 2015-04-02T15:59:08 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 71438 2015-04-02T15:59:30 text/plain; charset=us-ascii application/zip 19140 2025-07-01T10:45:14.465276 application/rdf+xml 12024 2025-07-01T10:45:05.932333 image/jpeg 3229 2025-07-01T10:45:05.688313 image/jpeg 153506 2025-07-01T10:45:04.703328 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia