King Lear was written by William Shakespeare, arguably the most famous playwright in history. The Folger version of the play provides commentaries alongside each page of the play. Also, one can read other helpful notes at the start and the end of the book. It includes even the life and publications of Shakespeare. The book is published by the Folger Shakespeare Library, which prides itself as being “[t]he world’s leading center for Shakespeare studies.” King Lear was written between 1604 and 1606. King Lear is one of the greatest plays and tragedies ever written by him. It is one of his greatest works.
The play is about King Lear, an old king who, at the start of the play, wants to “retire early” from being a king and decides to divide his kingdom among his daughters. After a foolish love test, he angrily banished Cordelia and gave her share to her other two daughters, Goneril and Regan. Cordelia then married the king of France who was amazed by her sincerity and
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King Lear (probably from the legend of Leir of Britain) is the old king probably around the time of old Britain. At the start of the play, one can easily distinguish that Lear is a powerful king with a somewhat weak mind. His foolish decisions to give his kingdom and banish her beloved daughter at the start set up the conflict of the play. He then proceeds to be an insane king without kingdom once his other two daughters betrayed him. He was portrayed to be a shadow of his glory and has been reduced to nothingness. [Fool to Lear: "now thou art an O without a figure. I am better than thou art now; I'm a fool, thou art nothing" (1.4.17)]. Near the end of the story, he had somewhat been cured of his insanity and had learned from his mistake. He showed his regret over banishing Cordelia and not acknowledging her love for her. He died soon after of grief over Cordelia’s death. The story primarily revolves around him, his family, and his