A moving tragedy of political intrigue and family strife William Shakespeare's King Lear is
edited by George Hunter with an introduction by Kiernan Ryan in Penguin Shakespeare. 'How
sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!' The ageing King Lear tired of
office decides to split his kingdom between his three daughters Goneril Regan and Cordelia
but the decision to allot their share based on the love they express for him proves to be a
terrible mistake. When Cordelia refuses to take part in her father's charade she is banished
leaving the king dependent on her manipulative and untrustworthy sisters. In the scheming and
recriminations that follow not only does the king's own sanity crumble but the stability of
the realm itself is also threatened. Cast out into the wilderness with a wise Fool and a
cunning madman it is only after losing what he values most that Lear understands the depth of
his folly. This book contains a general introduction to Shakespeare's life and Elizabethan
theatre a separate introduction to King Lear a chronology suggestions for further reading
an essay discussing performance options on both stage and screen and a commentary. William
Shakespeare (1564-1616) was born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden some time in late April
1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. He wrote about 38 plays (the precise number is uncertain) many of
which are regarded as the most exceptional works of drama ever produced including Romeo and
Juliet (1595) Henry V (1599) Hamlet (1601) Othello (1604) King Lear (1606) and Macbeth
(1606) as well as a collection of 154 sonnets which number among the most profound and
influential love-poetry in English. If you enjoyed King Lear you might like Othello also
available in Penguin Shakespeare. 'The themes of love and loss the futility of ambition the
pains of parenthood and the rewards of patience are treated with a magic touch'Ian Richardson
