King Lear Summary
William Shakespeare

Everything you need to understand or teach King Lear by William Shakespeare.

King Lear Summary & Study Guide
54 Student Essays
2 Encyclopedia Articles
73 Literature Criticisms
1 Book Notes
...and more

30 King Lear Lessons
20 Activities
180 Multiple Choice Questions
60 Short Essay Questions
20 Essay Questions
Pre-Made Tests and Quizzes
...and more

King Lear Summary

King Lear is one of Shakespeare’s most popular tragedies, exploring the role of power and deceit among families through the flawed relationship between King Lear and his three daughters.

At the opening of the play, the ageing King Lear decides that he would like to retire, so he divides the country between his three daughters, Regan, Goneril, and Cordelia. But first, he asks his daughters to profess how much they...

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King Lear Study Guide

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Encyclopedia Articles (2)

King Lear

6,215 words, approx. 21 pages

King Lear by William Shakespeare William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was about 41 years old when he wrote King Lear, the tragedy that many deem his greatest. He created the play to be performed for Kin... Read more

King Lear

3,567 words, approx. 12 pages

King Lear by William Shakespeare Forty-one years old when he wrote King Lear, Shakespeare created the play to be performed for King James, who had assumed the English throne in 1603. Shakespeare's ... Read more

William Shakespeare Biographies (5)

William Shakespeare

3,065 words, approx. 11 pages

The English playwright, poet, and actor William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is generally acknowledged to be the greatest of English writers and one of the most extraordinary creators in human history.The ... Read more

William Shakespeare

2,552 words, approx. 9 pages

Considered by critics, scholars, and the theater-going public the most important dramatist in the history of English literature, William Shakespeare occupies a unique position in the pantheon of great... Read more

William Shakespeare

30,475 words, approx. 102 pages

"He was not of an age, but for all time." So wrote Ben Jonson in his dedicatory verses to the memory of William Shakespeare in 1623, and so we continue to affirm today. No other writer, in English or ... Read more

William Shakespeare

10,061 words, approx. 34 pages

William Shakespeare's reputation is based primarily on his plays. With the partial exception of the Sonnets (1609), quarried since the early nineteenth century for autobiographical secrets allegedly ... Read more

William Shakespeare

35,432 words, approx. 119 pages

Biography Essay"He was not of an age, but for all time." So wrote Ben Jonson in his dedicatory verses to the memory of William Shakespeare in 1623, and so we continue to affirm today. No other writer,... Read more

Essays & Analysis (127)

An excellent thing in woman: Virgo and<br/> Viragos in King Lear

6,597 words, approx. 22 pages

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Critical Essay by T. W. Craik

9,580 words, approx. 32 pages

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Critical Essay by Ian J. Kirby

10,779 words, approx. 36 pages

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Critical Essay by Barbara C. Millard

9,277 words, approx. 31 pages

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Critical Essay by Clifford Davidson

6,251 words, approx. 21 pages

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Critical Essay by David Lowenthal

14,699 words, approx. 49 pages

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Critical Essay by Phoebe S. Spinrad

4,426 words, approx. 15 pages

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Margot Heinemann

5,799 words, approx. 20 pages

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Critical Essay by Janet M. Green

5,431 words, approx. 19 pages

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Glena D. Wood

12,359 words, approx. 42 pages

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Critical Essay by Allan R. Shickman

4,830 words, approx. 17 pages

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Critical Essay by Bente A. Videbæk

6,642 words, approx. 23 pages

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Richard Abrams

6,971 words, approx. 24 pages

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Critical Essay by Mark Berge

4,576 words, approx. 16 pages

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Thomas McFarland

9,279 words, approx. 31 pages

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Critical Essay by Harry Berger, Jr.

11,206 words, approx. 38 pages

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Alexander Leggatt

9,078 words, approx. 31 pages

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Critical Essay by Cristina León Alfar

10,934 words, approx. 37 pages

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Critical Essay by William F. Zak

13,328 words, approx. 45 pages

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Critical Essay by Thomas C. Kennedy

7,024 words, approx. 24 pages

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Critical Essay by William Zunder

4,662 words, approx. 16 pages

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Critical Essay by Josée Nutys-Giornal

9,678 words, approx. 33 pages

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Critical Essay by Jerald W. Spotswood

6,948 words, approx. 24 pages

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Critical Essay by William Dodd

20,019 words, approx. 67 pages

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Critical Essay by Tamise Van Pelt

5,203 words, approx. 18 pages

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Critical Essay by Brian Crick

11,036 words, approx. 37 pages

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Critical Essay by Douglas Burnham

6,591 words, approx. 22 pages

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Critical Essay by Paul W. Kahn

14,124 words, approx. 48 pages

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Critical Essay by Richard Levin

12,295 words, approx. 41 pages

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Critical Review by John Stokes

1,736 words, approx. 6 pages

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Critical Essay by Michael Goldman

5,574 words, approx. 19 pages

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Critical Essay by F. D. Hoeniger

6,347 words, approx. 22 pages

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Critical Essay by Howard Felperin

7,068 words, approx. 24 pages

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Critical Essay by Edward Pechter

9,571 words, approx. 32 pages

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Critical Essay by James L. Calderwood

9,809 words, approx. 33 pages

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Critical Essay by Lyell Asher

11,028 words, approx. 37 pages

13,348 words, approx. 45 pages

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Critical Essay by Arthur Kirsch

10,908 words, approx. 37 pages

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Critical Essay by Michael Holahan

14,928 words, approx. 50 pages

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Critical Review by Heather Neill

449 words, approx. 2 pages

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Critical Review by Bruce Weber

957 words, approx. 4 pages

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Critical Review by Richard Hornby

913 words, approx. 4 pages

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Critical Review by Matt Wolf

929 words, approx. 4 pages

688 words, approx. 3 pages

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Critical Essay by Jonathan Dollimore

6,612 words, approx. 23 pages

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Critical Essay by Dean Frye

7,069 words, approx. 24 pages

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Critical Essay by Joseph Wittreich

17,743 words, approx. 60 pages

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Critical Essay by Cherrell Guilfoyle

9,027 words, approx. 31 pages

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Critical Essay by June Schlueter

2,315 words, approx. 8 pages

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Critical Essay by Richard Knowles

11,724 words, approx. 40 pages

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Critical Essay by Susan Viguers

10,114 words, approx. 34 pages

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Critical Essay by Michael Edwards

7,879 words, approx. 27 pages

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Critical Essay by Alan Rosen

9,454 words, approx. 32 pages

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Critical Essay by Lawrence Rosinger

6,367 words, approx. 22 pages

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Critical Essay by Stephen Booth

6,384 words, approx. 22 pages

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Critical Essay by Terence Hawkes

2,622 words, approx. 9 pages

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Critical Review by Craig Barrow

1,568 words, approx. 6 pages

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Critical Review by Lois Potter

1,428 words, approx. 5 pages

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Critical Review by John Bemrose

754 words, approx. 3 pages

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Critical Review by Ben Brantley

1,357 words, approx. 5 pages

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Critical Essay by Sears Jayne

7,473 words, approx. 25 pages

8,042 words, approx. 27 pages

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Janet M. Green

5,385 words, approx. 18 pages

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Critical Essay by R. S. White

14,602 words, approx. 49 pages

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Critical Essay by Lawrence W. Hyman

3,651 words, approx. 13 pages

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Critical Essay by Michael H. Keefer

10,433 words, approx. 35 pages

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Critical Essay by O. B. Hardison, Jr.

9,387 words, approx. 32 pages

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Critical Essay by Darryl Tippins

8,696 words, approx. 29 pages

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Critical Essay by René E. Fortin

5,752 words, approx. 20 pages

7,126 words, approx. 24 pages

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Critical Essay by Naomi Conn Liebler

14,114 words, approx. 48 pages

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Lecture by Jill Levenson

6,049 words, approx. 21 pages

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The Role of the Fool in King Lear

1,319 words, approx. 5 pages

Whether or not the role of the Fool is an important one within King Lear is arguable. Although he seems to have great insight into much of the plays main events, he seems not to have any real influenc... Read more

Analyzes if King Lear is an Aristotelian Tragedy

677 words, approx. 3 pages

King Lear would be classified as an Aristotelian tragedy if it is to be measured against the Aristotelian criteria for a tragedy. The play possesses most, if not all, the characteristics of a tragedy ... Read more

Comparison of King Lear and Macbeth in Shakespearean Tragedies

1,199 words, approx. 4 pages

 Shakespeare authored many pieces of literature during his lifetime. The most famous of his works are the many sonnets he wrote along with the many plays. Only a few plays remain, an... Read more

Appearance Vs Reality in King Lear

933 words, approx. 4 pages

People, whether at their own behest or otherwise, don masks through the course of life presenting to the world but a pretentious and artificial sham. The characters of "King Lear" exemplify this not... Read more

Parental Nearsightedness in "King Lear"

1,576 words, approx. 6 pages

Parents are often unaware of the capabilities of their children. As a result, they may be oblivious to the wrongdoing that their children may commit. In William Shakespeare's play King Lear (Lr.) a ... Read more

Analysis of the Hero in "King Lear"

2,050 words, approx. 7 pages

King Lear, a tragedy in which Shakespeare exhibits most fully his literary complexities, is surprisingly the least popular of the famous four. In spite of this, it is indefinitely the most talked a... Read more

King Lear: Division and Disorder in Act I, Scene I

1,572 words, approx. 6 pages

King Lear: Division and Disorder in Act I, Scene I The brief verbal exchanges between Gloucester, Kent, and Edmund at the beginning of the first act and scene of William Shakespeare's King Lear are o... Read more

The Rise and Fall of an Exemplary Tragic Hero in "King Lear"

1,193 words, approx. 4 pages

In "King Lear" Shakespeare makes use of a subplot to emphasize the sufferings of the tragic hero, King Lear. The characters Lear and Gloucester are both of elevated status in society, and both plummet... Read more

The Timeless Themes of "King Lear"

1,203 words, approx. 5 pages

King Lear has transcended the ages through its ability to adapt to different contexts. Its universal themes allow it to be interpreted in many different ways for many different audiences. Each context... Read more

King Lear From Multiple Angles

1,379 words, approx. 5 pages

King Lear can be read in a variety of ways. Discuss the above statement with reference to two readings, one of which must be a production either real or imagined. Shakespeare's King Lear has been t... Read more

The Development of the Character of King Lear

1,613 words, approx. 6 pages

King Lear is one of the most complicated of all Shakespeare's plays. It is about political authority as much as it is about family dynamics. It is a ruthless play, filled with human cruelt... Read more

The Fool in Shakespeare

162 words, approx. 1 pages

With the term "fool" Shakespeare usually denotes a character who behaves in an unsense way, near to madness. His fools are called "artificials" because they live in the fictive world of the court and,... Read more

Albany's Renovation

671 words, approx. 3 pages

In William Shakespeare's play King Lear, the character of Albany is a very complex one, who keeps the readers involved. Albany's character changes considerably throughout the play and is an interestin... Read more

Spiritual and Moral Blindness and Loss of Reason in "King Lear"

622 words, approx. 3 pages

King Lear and Glouster are two characters, in the Shakespeare play King Lear, who foreshadow events in each others lives, both literally and spiritually, through Glouster's blindness and Lear's madnes... Read more

King Lear: Edmund's Speech

743 words, approx. 3 pages

In Shakespeare's King Lear, the illegitimate son of Gloucester, Edmund, makes speeches that reveal a great deal about the personality and values of the character. The two speeches are: "Thou Nature ar... Read more

King Lear Themes Essay

1,253 words, approx. 5 pages

In King Lear, Shakespeare uses the themes of the knowledge of oneself and the development of this knowledge to highlight human frailties and strengths. The character of King Lear particularly embodie... Read more

How Different Productions Dramatize "King Lear"

1,537 words, approx. 6 pages

In the play King Lear, the struggle between chaos and order could be dramatised and highlighted through different productions, reflecting certain perspectives. Shakespearean critic, Kathleen McLuskie,... Read more

Different Interpretations of "King Lear"

1,063 words, approx. 4 pages

In the many different productions of "King Lear" there are often substantial differences in the performance techniques. In this essay the differences in costuming and setting will be used in reference... Read more

The Value and Reception of "King Lear" Throughout History

1,144 words, approx. 4 pages

"King Lear" has been subjected to various valuing and receptions throughout history, dependent upon the cultural and societal contexts, which exist at the time of production. Various interpretations h... Read more

Parent/Child Relationships in "Corialanus" and "King Lear"

2,917 words, approx. 10 pages

"As if man were author of himself/ and knew no other kin" "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To have a thankless child" (Act 1 Scene 4 lines 285-6) These lines spoken by the eponymous hero o... Read more

A Comparison of "Old Goriot" and "King Lear"

2,040 words, approx. 7 pages

"How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child." (Act 1 scene 4 lines 282-3) This quotation may have been taken from "King Lear" but it is also very apt for Balzac's novel "O... Read more

King Lear, Analyzing Edmund

1,606 words, approx. 6 pages

Edmund is a very interesting character in the tragedy King Lear. He is the bastard son of Gloucester. In fact, he is young, smart and attractive. However, he is an immoral villain. He betrayed his bro... Read more

Analyzing Themes in King Lear

1,298 words, approx. 5 pages

King Lear is a play that challenges the fundamental values of life and human relationships. The literary qualities of the play and the universal themes of filial ingratitude, justice lend the play to ... Read more

King Lear and its Universal Themes

2,086 words, approx. 7 pages

Themes provide a basis by which a play is composed, and it is the absolute universality of the themes of King Lear, that enables audiences since its first production up until to day, to truly value it... Read more

Children's Betrayal in King Lear

688 words, approx. 3 pages

For many decades the public has been saying that children no longer idolize and respect their parents as they use too, however children may have never respected their parents at all. One of the earl... Read more

Justice in King Lear

2,148 words, approx. 8 pages

Justice in Shakespeare's King Lear and its productions, has a bleak and uncertain outcome, for it can either uphold the Christian belief of `divine justice' or it can embody the concept of Existential... Read more

King Lear, A Change of Fortune

1,326 words, approx. 5 pages

Everyone has their time to shine, their special moment, which is when they are at the top of the wheel of fortune, but when the wheel has spun 360 degrees, they find themselves back at the bottom. The... Read more

King Lear: Suspense Woven Into Internal Events

1,127 words, approx. 4 pages

King Lear, written by William Shakespeare, consisted of an intricate storyline laced with several subplots. The external action between each character created a foundation upon which a stab... Read more

Issues in King Lear

1,729 words, approx. 6 pages

"King Lear" has been subjected to a variety of valuing receptions throughout history, dependant upon the cultural and shared contexts which exist at the time of the performance. Varied readings have b... Read more

The Value of King Lear to Modern Society

2,382 words, approx. 8 pages

Over the diverse blend of responder's a modern audience encompasses, King Lear will clearly hold varied values. However no value obtained will be limited, just different. Through exploring two alterna... Read more

Justice in King Lear

1,075 words, approx. 4 pages

Shakespeare's King Lear depicts a world where children turn against their fathers, and humans precariously walk the line between sanity and madness. Lear, a benevolent but proud king of pre-Christi... Read more

The Nature of King Lear

1,090 words, approx. 4 pages

The most prevailing images in King Lear are the images (metaphoric and actual) of nature. The concept of nature seems to consume the dialogue, monologues, and setting. It might be useful to view natu... Read more

King Lear

978 words, approx. 4 pages

The play, which I have studied, is "King Lear", the famous play written by William Shakespeare. The play is about an old man, Lear, who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters by means... Read more

King Lear Mini Essay

966 words, approx. 4 pages

King Lear Mini Essay Within King Lear, symbolism is, well, king. It's everywhere. It's subtle, it's bold, it's funny, it's sad, but it's what helps tie everything together. A majority of the symbo... Read more

King Lear

973 words, approx. 4 pages

In King Lear, written by William Shakespeare, the most important and emphasized theme is madness. Madness is developed by the protagonist and the tragic hero, King Lear. Lear plays a role of a father ... Read more

Interpretations of King Lear

1,084 words, approx. 4 pages

Good morning Mrs...... And audience, directors of modern performances of "King Lear" are given the opportunity to foreground certain aspects of the plot, themes, characters and character interaction: ... Read more

King Lear Interpretations

1,141 words, approx. 4 pages

`King Lear' (KL) by William Shakespeare is a text that has great textual integrity due to its universal themes (such as lack of insight and chaos & order) and level of craft which is reflected by the ... Read more

The Storm in "King Lear"

1,011 words, approx. 4 pages

In "The Tragedy of King Lear' the audience is presented with a vicious storm. This is widely regarded to not only associate with King Lear's descent into madness but also represent some kind of divine... Read more

Redemption and Pessimism in King Lear

1,056 words, approx. 4 pages

Is king Lear a tragic tale of redemption, or one whose final mood is one of pessimism" Salutations dedicated educators and prospective graduates. It is magnificent to be here at the prestigious univ... Read more

Family Betrayal in King Lear

1,219 words, approx. 5 pages

"Et tu Brute""(Act III, Scene 1, Line 77) were the words of Julius Caesar after being brutally stabbed and betrayed by his colleague, Brutus, in William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. The theme of Betra... Read more

Textual Integrity of King Lear

1,819 words, approx. 7 pages

"KING LEAR has, and continues to be valued, because it possesses a sense of textual integrity." How has the textual integrity of the play allowed it to be read and received in a variety of contexts" ... Read more

'the Excellent Foppery of the World': Skepticism in King Lear

2,452 words, approx. 9 pages

`The Excellent Foppery of the World': Skepticism in King Lear "As flies to wanton boys are we to th' gods; / They kill us for their sport." (4.1.41-42) So bemoans the blinded and despondent Earl ... Read more

The Optimistic King Lear

1,127 words, approx. 4 pages

Since first performed in 1606, William Shakespeare's 'King Lear' has been at the centre of controversy. With themes as varied as madness, death, politics, justice, love and sexuality, it was deemed "u... Read more

Love in Shakespeare's King Lear

466 words, approx. 2 pages

Love is a concept that has been present throughout human history, but the societal view of love has changed throughout the ages. Love in the sixties and seventies was many times `induced' by means of ... Read more

Materialism and Human Behavior in Shakespeare's King Lear

1,690 words, approx. 6 pages

King Lear is a play that seeks to explain a deep concept through its colorfully depicted plot and characters. Examining these elements is essential to understanding the concepts and the lifestyle at t... Read more

The Loyalty Cordelia, Kent and Edgar in William Shakespeare's King Lear

1,007 words, approx. 4 pages

In the play King Lear, Cordelia, Kent and Edgar show loyalty to the people they love. Although they are placed in bad situation and are misunderstood by the people they love, they faithfully do their ... Read more

The Emotions of King Lear

852 words, approx. 3 pages

"From over whelming pride, security and obstinacy, Lear moves through rebellious anger, despair and madness, patience to humility, and to a new recognition of truth and good" Describe where in the pl... Read more

Feminist Critique of "King Lear"

1,381 words, approx. 5 pages

There were several sources and versions of King Lear by William Shakespeare. The story of Cordelia has appeared in the folk tales of many countries, most famously as the Cinderella story. Although the... Read more

King Lear

1,889 words, approx. 7 pages

Throughout history, men have been depicted in literature in various ways: as warriors, heroes, rulers, fathers, brothers, sons and lovers. Shakespeare's King Lear gives a glimpse of a man's psyche in ... Read more

Lear and Family

1,395 words, approx. 5 pages

The Importance of Family Family is what defines one's character and identity. Shakespeare's tragic play, King Lear, presents a ruling family and how its members' relationships affect one another. ... Read more

King Lear's Disfunctional Family

1,689 words, approx. 6 pages

The theme of parent and child are a major aspect of King Lear. The frequent attitudes expressed by the children, exclusive of Edgar and Cordelia, towards Gloucester and Lear are deception and betraya... Read more

Deception and Unconditional Love in King Lear

1,195 words, approx. 4 pages

Ten years ago, as a little girl, fairy tale was the most favourite kind of my reading. The happy ending in every fairy tale made me enjoyable very much. Sometimes, I got some meaningful lessons for ... Read more

Deception and Unconditional Love in King Lear

1,210 words, approx. 5 pages

Ten years ago, as a little girl, fairy tale was the most favourit kind of my reading. The happy ending in every fairy tale made me enjoyable very much. Sometimes, I got some meaningful lessons for mys... Read more

Mark It, Nuncle...

1,570 words, approx. 6 pages

Troubles occur everywhere, with anyone, and about almost anything. Some of them are extreme and need to be dealt with immediately, while others are less savage and can endure time for meticulous c... Read more

Free Book Notes (1)

King Lear

14,824 words, approx. 50 pages

King Lear Book Notes is a free study guide on King Lear by William Shakespeare. Browse the summary below:   Author Biography / Context of the Work   One-Page Plot Summary   Charac... Read more

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