King Lear (New Folger Library Shakespeare)

Book Description

Folger Shakespeare Library

The world's leading center for Shakespeare studies

Each edition includes:

• Freshly edited text based on the best early

printed version of the play

• Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play

• Scene-by-scene plot summaries

• A key to famous lines and phrases

• An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language

• An essay by an outstanding scholar providing a modern perspective on the play

• Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books

Essay by Susan Snyder

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs.

Customer Reviews:

The tragedy of Lear........2007-02-01

I recently re-read KING LEAR prior to attending The Denver Theatre Company's performance of this play. Shakespeare (1552-1616) wrote this emotionally-moving tragedy between 1603 and 1606, and it was performed for the first time in 1606. With its insights into the nature of human suffering and kinship, and its theme of human blindness, it is regarded as one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies.

KING LEAR is based on the legend of King Leir, a king of pre-Roman Britain. It tells the story of King Lear's decision to abdicate the throne and divide his kingdom among his three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. In a moment of vanity, Lear decides to divide his lands according to how much each daughter demonstrates her love for him. Because Cordelia refuses to engage such a contest of flattery with her elder sisters, Lear divides his kingdom between Goneril and Regan, banishing Cordelia. Despite her disinheritance, the King of France marries her. Soonafter abdicating his throne, Lear discovers that Goneril and Regan's feelings for him have grown cold. Meanwhile, Goneril and Regan also have a falling out with one another while defending Cordelia's army from France, sent to restore Lear to his throne. Goneril poisons Regan, then stabs herself.

In a subplot, involving the Earl of Gloucester two sons, Edmund concocts false stories about his legitimate half-brother, Edgar, who is forced into exile. Edmund then aligns himself with Goneril and Regan, and his father is blinded by Regan's husband. Edgar, disguised as a lunatic, finds his blinded father out wandering in a storm, trying to find his the way to Dover.

In Dover, Lear, who has gone raving mad, is reunited with Gloucester, Edgar, and Cordelia before the battle between Britain and France. When the French lose, Edmund orders the execution of Lear and Cordelia. Edgar, still in disguise, reveals himself to Edmund before killing his evil half brother. Although Edmund stays the execution of Lear and Cordelia, unfortunately, the reprieve comes too late as Lear enters the scene carrying Cordelia's dead body in his arms. Then he dies.

As a tragedy, KING LEAR is appealing for its nihilistic conclusion that human existence is essentially meaningless, and that life is devoid of a true morality.

G. Merritt

King Lear: a book of justice and evil.......2006-11-01

Betrayals, romance, and death: the book King Lear has it all. This book is written by William Shakespeare, who is a famous author of his day and still is well-known throughout the world. William Shakespeare writes during the Renaissance period which he fully lived up to. He could be said to be philosopher by saying his thoughts of life, love, justice, and other morals of man through his works of literature. My opinion is he expressed his opinions of love and justice in the book, King Lear.
In this book, there is a king named, King Lear, who was old and ready to retire his wealth to his three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Before King Lear gives everything to his daughters, he wants to see how much each daughter truly loves him. Goneril and Regan have been waiting for their inheritance from their father for a long time. They love him very much, but they do not care about their father. They just want his land and gold. On the contrary, when asked to express her love for her father, cordelia says she has no words to describe her love for her father because she truly means it. Surprisingly, King Lear gets furious with her, and she runs off to marry the King of France without her father's blessing. After King Lear discovers the plot of his eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan, he goes crazy and runs out to the fields to deal with his grievances. Ironically, it was during a storm which symbolizes the thoughts going through his head at the time.

Meanwhile, an elderly noble named Gloucester, also has family problems. His [...] son, Edmund, is jealous over the fact that Gloucester's legitimate son, Edgar, will inherited most of their father's wealth. This will mean that Edmund may get a small amount of gold and a few acres of land. Therefore, Edmund, consumed by greed, tricks Gloucester into believing Edgar is planning to kill him. So, Gloucester creates a manhunt for Edgar who disguises himself as a crazy beggar named, Poor Tom. While Poor Tom hides in the fields, he meets King Lear. The two men form an alliance to set things straight. Here is where the plot twists and turns from plots of murder, to wives who are cheating, and to rescue attempts.
After reading this, many thoughts run through my head. How should a child express their love for a parent? What is the normal reaction of a parent when a child expresses their love? I will probably never know the answer to the questions until I have experienced what it is to be a parent. Another question stems around if my friends or family ever abandons me for a simple action like robbing bank, should they forgive me or should they hold a grudge to the grave. The way Shakespeare puts his thoughts is a whole other story in itself. It could take years probably to really understand the concepts of man throughout this book. Can man truly be this evil and corrupt in the world with few who do good? I guess these are questions that lead us to the meaning of life.

One of Shakespeare's Finest.......2006-09-30

This was one of my favorite Shakespeare tragedies because despite Lear bringing the misfortune on himself, the reader truly does feel for sorry for him. When Cordelia could not declare her love to Lear like her sisters did, he takes this as a lack of love for him. Of course it wasn't, but Lear's desperate neccesity for admiration from those around eventually becomes his downfall.

While all of that action is going on, Gloucester's illegitimate son, Edmund is on the rise to power, hoping to overtake his brother. King Lear is obviously a tragedy, but there is one aspect of it at the end that is truly rewarding to the reader. Though none of Shakespeare's plays are, read this one and you definetly won't be dissapointed.

King Lear.......2006-02-28

This Shakespeare play was a more difficult story line to follow. There were a lot of seperate plots happening at once. i did enjoy it however because Shakespeare keeps it interesting with lots of humor and violence. Shakespeare's fundamental elements of hidden identities and deception run rampant in the twisting and turning story line.

The story follows the life of King Lear who makes a some what bizarre decision to split up his kingdom between his three daughters before he dies instead of after. He then banishes his youngest and favorite daughter for disagreeing with him and divides his land between his two evil daughters. Shakespeare tries to get the audience to have sympathy for Lear yet it is hard to do being that he brought all of the trouble he goes through upon himself. Overall it was a very intriguing story about regrets and decision making and i enjoyed reading the play.

A gripping tale of a dysfunctional royal family..........2005-04-13

'King Lear' begins almost like a fairy tale. There are two older sisters and a beautiful young sister who is given the short end of the stick. Shakespeare's tale of a father who doesn't know how to separate his kingship and fatherhood is masterful.

With the story conflict centering on two father figures and the problems they have with their various progeny, one has to wonder what Shakespeare was thinking of when he wrote it. His own father? Or perhaps himself?

King Lear (Arden Shakespeare: Third Series)

Average customer rating:

The tragedy of Lear.
My humble King lear review - with a great deal of influence from Cavell.
That's what Men say when Women rule nations
SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING IN WASHINGTON AND U.N.
King Lear Review

King Lear (Arden Shakespeare: Third Series)
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Arden
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

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ASIN: 1903436591

Book Description

'By far the best edition of King Lear - in respect of both textual and other matters - that we now have.' John Lyon, English Language Notes 'This volume is a treasure-trove of precise information and stimulating comments on practically every aspect of the Lear-universe. I know of no other edition which I would recommend with such confidence: to students, professional colleagues and also the 'educated public'.' Dieter Mehl, Shakespeare Jahrbuch, vol 134

Customer Reviews:

The tragedy of Lear........2007-02-01

My humble King lear review - with a great deal of influence from Cavell........2005-12-22

The Arden edition of King Lear (I believe this one is in its third printing) is a combination of both the Quarto and the Folio editions of the play. Of course, when you end up with a conflated edition (one that is made up of both) you are left at the mercy of the editor but, for my money, R.A. Foakes does an excellent job of integrating the manuscripts and often points out in the notes which and why certain choices were made.

Other people have summarized the plot of King Lear here at amazon.com so I won't engage in that sort of review. I will concentrate instead on the particular edition and why I think it's among the best and then I will point out some things to look for in the play, things that I believe deserve close attention, things that will add to your enjoyment of the play.

First of all the Arden edition - the book is basically divided into two major parts: the essays and the play. The play occupies the top half of each page, while the editorial notes and "translations" are found on the bottom. So, for example, when King Lear first lets us know about "divesting" his kingdom, Foakes tells us that this word is important because it sets an important pattern regarding clothes throughout the play.

Sometimes the observations are incisive and surprisingly good, sometimes not as good. For example, when Lear starts talking about "By all the operation of the orbs / From whom we do exist, and cease to be", Foakes points out that the orbs are the planets (during Shakespeare's lifetime, the alignments of the planets was important - the word "disaster" actually means stars out of alignment - the kind of worldview that held the earth as the center of the universe was the worldview that Shakespeare inherited and lived in). But Foakes fails to mention that the orbs are also our EYES and in their full operation, opening your eyes can make one "exist" (as in we see them) and closing your eyes can make one "cease to be" (as in you don't see them). Furthermore, the orbs can be seen as being the eyes of God and us existing in them. Bishop Berkely's philosophy relied heavily on the idea that everything exists because God perceives it.

Anyway, just realize that the greatest of notes are nowhere near as good as the greatest of care and attention when reading. Especially when reading the greatest writer that ever lived.

Now onto some things I believe everyone should pay attention to. The word "love" appears in the play more than any other word of meaning (obviously I'm excluding words like "the" in the search). Now if you combine language that are related to eyes (sight, orbs, look, see, etc) you will also notice a great preponderance of these words. The same thing will happen if you combine the other senses (touch, feeling, smell, etc). Why is this of any import? Well, if you're going to write about something, you're going to have to use words. If something is important, you're going to want to drive that point home so you will be using some words more than others. This is an indication that the play you're reading is going to be about those things. So "love", "seeing", "nature", "clothes" and animals such as "dog, snake, wolf, etc" are words that appear a lot and are important.

Sometime Shakespeare is so goddamn clever that you could spend a lifetime and not catch everything. For example, it wasn't until my 2nd reading of the play that I noticed he tells Kent
"Our potency made good, take thy reward.
Five days we do allot thee, for provision
To shield thee from diseases of the world;
And on the sixth to turn thy hated back
Upon our kingdom: if, on the tenth day following,
Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions,
The moment is thy death. Away! by Jupiter,
This shall not be revoked."

Notice the word "provision". The root of the word is pro-vision. It means to look ahead. Later on in the play Kent reappears, in disguise! Is Shakespeare having fun with us or am I reading too much into what could be an unintended use of the word? Let me put it this way - if I'm going to find morsels like this one, Shakespeare gets the credit.

The words relating to seeing and feeling are especially important if you take tragedy to be an epistemological problem. If the tragic figure is one that denies a kind of knowledge (Lear and Gloucester certainly do this) then one can deny it by not seeing or feeling, hence the words that relate to the acquisition of knowledge through empirical means. Notice in the above verses that Kent will be told to re-appear, but he can only reappear in disguise. Lear has already denied his love and devotion. Kent must reappear as something else to allow Lear to "love him" again.

Lastly, pay close attention to Shakespeare's doubling and mirroring. This is a favorite thing of his to do. I remember that the first time I read "Measure for Measure" I noticed doubling and mirroring on every page. Then I read it again and noticed these things every 5 lines. Then I read it again and started noticing them with ever increasing frequency! In King Lear the mirroring is much more subtle and even more rewarding. Notice how Goneril ends up "confusing" Gloucester with Lear when she tells him to "smell" his "way to Dover". From that moment on Gloucester and Lear become doubles and possibly even more and the reader becomes a party to the confusion.

Reading Shakespeare is a mind blowing experience and King Lear is probably his greatest play (and that's saying something considering he also wrote "Hamlet", "Othello" and "Macbeth").

Shakespeare wrote this play towards the end of his playwright's career. He had two daughters, one of which was a bit of an embarrassment to him. It's fun to hypothesize whether retiring was on his mind and if it was his own intent

"To shake all cares and business from our age;
Conferring them on younger strengths, while we
Unburthen'd crawl toward death."

I cannot leave a review of King Lear without mentioning some important essays on it. A few years back philosopher Stanley Cavell wrote a review called "The Avoidance of Love". His reading of King Lear is revolutionary beyond belief. No student or lover of Shakespeare's plays should be without it. The essay has been combined with other Cavell essays on other Shakespearian plays and is available in the book "Disowning Knowledge". Amazon has it. It will blow your mind. Also, A.C. Bradley wrote a famous essay on King Lear that should be read as well.

P.S. check out the cool and artistic cover which features a tree trunk splitting into three branches. Is it an allegory for the play? By golly, I think it is. That's Arden for you - quality cover to cover :)

That's what Men say when Women rule nations.......2004-11-19

This is a terrific play, and the characterization is remarkable. It's considered a masterpiece, and for good reason.

But there is still one small comment I would like to make. Read the play. Then ask yourself who on Earth the character Goneril was. Um, she was the Queen of England. Not the wife of the King. The Queen. Albany was her consort.

Lear was no longer the King. Regan was not the Queen. Cordelia was not the Queen. Goneril was. And had a Man with her attitude about power been the ruler, no one would think it strange.

Yes, Lear is a tragic character, and it sure is tragic when he holds his beloved but dead Cordelia and asks if she is still alive. But Goneril is a tragic character too, and it is tragic when, upon getting clobbered in a battle, she decides to kill herself. And when asked how the battle is going, right before she dies, she replies, "Not so hot."

SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING IN WASHINGTON AND U.N........2004-06-13

This is timeless Shakespearean drama, about a King and his three daughters, wrapped around corruption, betrayal and tragedy. It speaks to the power and pressure of leadership, and modern politicians would well to heed its valuable lessons.

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
STWRITES@AOL.COM

King Lear Review.......2004-02-23

Power, corruption, betrayal, and death are the themes significant to the play King Lear. Written around the 1600's, this play by William Shakespeare is best known for its tragic ending. In this play, betrayed by those he trusted most, King Lear is driven to the brink of insanity as his remaining power is snatched away. The dense rich language adds more meaning to the play, which is quite interesting due to the different twists in the plot, and the realistic portrayal of the diverse characters. This play, though hard to understand at times, is probably one of Shakespeare's best tragedies. This play is a "must read" book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Here is the full plot of the play (read only if you already know the ending of the book):

The play begins as King Lear, the ruler of England, is giving his daughters his kingdom so that they can rule. However, he wants his daughters to express their love for him, and in return he would give them the land. The eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan declare their love and receive their land. The youngest, Cordelia, says that words cannot express her love, and this angers the king. He says that he will give her no land and dowry and she is married off to the King of France.

The scene shifts to another important character Edmund. Edmund is the illegitimate son of Gloucester, and he is creating a plan to trick his father into believing that his other son Edgar is attempting to steal Gloucester's wealth and then intends on killing him. This angers as he Gloucester and how he to kill his traitor son Edgar.

As the play unravels, readers see that Goneril and Regan begin plotting to steal whatever power the king still may have. As the story continues, the daughters' evil plans are revealed to the king as he realizes the Cordelia was the only daughter loyal to him and he regrets the decision he made earlier. As the play progresses the king becomes mad with the knowledge.

The play now takes place in Gloucester's castles and soon Goneril and Regan both fall in love with Edmond. Gloucester also learns the plans to the eldest daughters and he warns the king. After Regan and Goneril realize that Gloucester has told the father, they name him a traitor and torture him. In the end, Edgar saves his father.

Book Description

In the CliffsComplete guides, the play's complete text and a glossary appear side-by-side with coordinating numbered lines to help you understand unusual words and phrasing. You'll also find all the commentary and resources of a standard CliffsNotes for Literature.

In this tragic play, Lear, a ruler in pre-Christian Britain, is described as a "very foolish old man." Grossly misjudging his daughters, he endures a harrowing experience and emerges as a man "more sinned against than sinning." This most tragic of Shakespearean plays speaks to us repeatedly about fate and chance, destiny and the gods. But we also are reminded that humanity has free will — and King Lear's choices lead to madness.

Enhance your reading of King Lear and save valuable studying time — all at once — with CliffsComplete King Lear. Studying is easier with features that include

Shakespeare's original play
Notes and definitions that appear directly opposite the line in which they occur
A summary and insightful commentary for each scene
Bibliography and historical background on the playwright, William Shakespeare
A look at the historical context and structure of the play
Discussions on the play's symbols and themes
A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters
Review questions, a quiz, discussion topics (essay questions), activity ideas
A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites

Streamline your literature study with all-in-one help from CliffsComplete guides!

Customer Reviews:

Trying to Fathom King Lear.......2007-09-08

I find Shakespeare very difficult and "Cliff's Complete" is a tremendous help!! Cliff's Complete should be available for all of Shakespeare and not just a few plays. Amazingly, it is the only such guide that I've found. It astounds me that it stands so alone when so many students and readers have so much difficulty with Shakespeare.

The introducton material is good re Shakespeare and Elizabethean England.

The Character Map is good, but it isn't as clear as it could be. It lacks a complete list of characters, and some minor characters are left out and appear out of the blue. An entire introductory section on characters should be considered. Descriptions about the characters, their roles, relationships and meanings would also be helpful to someone like me.

The brief introduction to each scene is excellent and very helpful.

The Commentaries are excellent and very helpful. I've used Cliff's Complete before, and choose to read the Commentary before each Scene instead of after. That might be suggested to the reader in a short guide.

The running notes could and should be done better. The numbered line references for the running notes are very helpful. It would be even more helpful if an italic or something like an asterisk for the noted item referred to the note even more directly. Many more such notes would also be more helpful given the very difficult language and terms, and the reader could choose whether or not to bother with more such notes. Also, notes of more importance could be done in a bolder type. Running the notes along the side of the script is excellent and makes reference easier and more seamless than at the bottom of the page or at the end. Unfortunately, the notes are on a light blue background and in small blue typeset both of which make it harder to read for an old guy like me.

Despite these comments, this is an indespensible help as I prepare to see a performance. Thank you, Wiley Publishing and the authors and editors!

Victor Ostrower

Very good.......2004-01-27

I really think this version is clear and useful to students discovering Lear for the first time. For advanced Lear information, one would be wise to look elsewhere.

Average customer rating:

King Lear (The Pelican Shakespeare)
William Shakespeare , and Stephen Orgel
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

A Midsummer Night's Dream (The Pelican Shakespeare)
Hamlet (The Pelican Shakespeare)
The Tempest (Signet Classics)
Henry V (Pelican Shakespeare)
Othello (Arden Shakespeare: Third Series)

ASIN: 0140714901
Release Date: 2000-01-31

Book Description

With new editors who have incorporated the most up-to-date scholarship, this revised Pelican Shakespeare series will be the premiere choice for students, professors, and general readers well into the twenty-first century.

Each volume features:
Authoritative, reliable texts
High quality introductions and notes
New, more readable trade trim size
An essay on the theatrical world of Shakespeare and essays on Shakespeare's life and the selection of texts

Average customer rating:

Great for English Class!
Fantastic Party Event
A Teacher's Dream

Shakespeare in a Box: King Lear
Carl Martin
Manufacturer: Workman Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Misc. Supplies

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ASIN: 0761123822

Book Description

All the living room's a stage! And your friends and family merely players, with their exits and entrances--and 45 minutes of utter enjoyment. Created by an imaginative drama teacher, The Home Shakespeare Festival is a complete theater company in a box.

Home Shakespeare is like a host-your-own-murder game, but with an intellectual and artistic bent. Beginning with one of Shakespeare's best-known, best-loved works, the tragedy King Lear, each kit has everything needed to produce and act out a thoroughly entertaining 45-minute version of the play: cards for a director and technical director, showing how to cast the play, direct it, stage it, and create easy sets and sound effects; cards for each of the major parts, with a summary of the character and suggestions on how to play him or her; ten cleverly abridged copies of the script; and key props. For King Lear, the kit includes a retractable stage dagger, a plastic eyeball, and a jester's cap. Each kit also contains a booklet introducing the wonderful world of Shakespeare, acting tips and exercises, recipes for grog, and other good party games to play.

Customer Reviews:

Great for English Class!.......2005-11-11

As an introduction to our Shakespeare unit in my 12th grade AP English class, I divided the kids into two groups. One group prepared King Lear, and the other prepared The Taming of the Shrew. I gave them 4 class periods to prepare, then we had two days of performances. The kids added their own touches to the props in the box and suggested list of additional props. Other teachers brought their classes, and everyone had a great time.

Fantastic Party Event.......2004-06-20

Back in 2000, when Carl Martin first started selling his Home Shakespeare Festival, I bought his "Macbeth". I was going home for Christmas, and told friends and family to get ready to put on a play. The directions and set-up of the kit are fantastic, and couldn't possibly make it any easier. It even tells you which parts can be played by the same people, if you don't have enough bodies. And don't worry about costuming - we just set out a tablefull of my mom's aprons and scarves and told people to dress themselves for their part!

We had all ages participating, from 5 year olds (who played Birnham Wood) to retired people. Everybody from total hams (my six-foot brother as Lady McBeth) to shyer types (who had roles as prop managers and small one-line speaking roles) got into it. People still tell me it was one of the best parties they've every gone to - where else could you see someone holding a cabbage, and have to pretend it's a skull? Though I haven't had a King Lear party yet, I highly recommend the Home Shakespeare Festival as a total hoot. Don't forget to have someone videotape it! This is TOTALLY not-just-for-kids!

A Teacher's Dream.......2003-08-16

I am teaching King Lear for the first time next year. Having taught R/J, Macbeth, and Richard III, I found King Lear to be a little more intimidating. Teachers are constantly looking for anticipatory sets and this is the one! It gives the major facts in an abridged form while using the original language. It is also compeletly student driven (from director to actors). Casting is flexible from 6-12; for bogger classes I plan on staging two productions. Originally designed for parties (students will hardly believe people do this in their off-time), this is a great way to introduce one of Shakespeare's best and most tragic plays!

Average customer rating:

Helpful
Great Ideas--But Beware!
Good value for your money
Difficult to understand
North Korean dictator Kim Jung Ill and King Lear?

King Lear (Signet Classics)
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Signet Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0451526937

Book Description

Harold Bloom begins his introduction to this text by claiming that nothing in language goes beyond The Tragedy of King Lear. This text includes a brief biography of William Shakespeare, thematic and structural analysis of the play, as well as a host of critical essays by some of the most prominent experts on the text.

This series is edited by Harold Bloom, Sterling Professor of the Humanities, Yale University; Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Professor of English, New York University Graduate School. These texts are the ideal aid for all students of literature, presenting concise, easy-to-understand biographical, critical, and bibliographical information on a specific literary work. Also provided are multiple sources for book reports and term papers with a wealth of information on literary works, authors, and major characters.

Download Description

This is the first fully annotated critical edition of King Lear to appear for forty years. It includes a comprehensive account of Shakespeare's sources and the literary, political, and folkloric influences at work in the play; a detailed reading of the action, and a substantial stage history of major productions. Unlike previous editions, this one does not present a conflation of the Quarto and the Folio, but offers the latter as the authoritative text.

Customer Reviews:

Helpful.......2007-01-15

I have my degree in English... I like reading and teaching with this version as "help" not as a substitution. It gives a clearer understanding to Shakespeare for people who have difficulty with it.

Great Ideas--But Beware!.......2006-11-10

I bought this edition as a teaching supplement, not realizing that it is the folio version of the play. The words "quarto" and "folio" refer to the size of the pages in the two editions. Many secondary schools and universities use the quarto edition and a lot is left out of the folio--this version cuts out three hundred lines and adds one hundred new ones. The effect is that it alters the way the characters are shown. If you are reading the play with a class and they have a quarto version, while you are using your trusty teacher's Cambridge, chances are there will be a lot of blank expressions and confusion on their faces. The lines they see will not jibe with yours. The extra articles and class activities are great though--just make sure that if you use the Cambridge, you have your students buy only folio editions.

Good value for your money.......2006-09-08

Although this edition is not quite as exhaustive as the Arden Shakespeare paperbacks, it does have good commentary and even includes a fair bit of criticism. It's not expensive and the print is clear and readable, not small or cramped like some Shakespeare editions. The comments, which largely explain difficult words in the text, are printed on the same page as the text, which is helpful. I use a copy of this for studying Shakespeare - at such a good prize, you don't feel bad for scribbling notes in the margins.

Difficult to understand.......2006-04-01

It is not easy to understand the old style Eglish to non-native foreigner like me. But I read it cover to cover.

North Korean dictator Kim Jung Ill and King Lear?.......2005-07-08

Some have said that there are no memorable lines in the King Lear play. I would beg to differ. I am including a few: "Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say." -- King Lear (Act 5, Scene 3), Shakespeare. "This is the excellent foppery of the world : that when we are sick in fortune -- often the surfeits of our own behaviour -- we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and stars, as if we were villains on necessity, fools by heavenly compulsion, knaves, thieves, and treachers by spherical predominance, drunkards, liars and adulterers by an enforced obedience of planetary influence." ---- William Shakespeare; spoken by Edmond in *King Lear*, act 1 scene 2.

When William Shakespeare wrote his plays, I doubt he thought much about the effect of his works hundreds of years in the future. Just as I write these words, I doubt they will have a lasting impression. Yet King Lear does leave us a lasting impression of power: even the strongest, more arrogant men can fall and faulter if the wrong conditions exist. May we all hope that one day North Korean dictator Kim Jung Ill meet the fate of King Lear.

King Lear (Arkangel Complete Shakespeare)

Average customer rating:

Worth the purchase, even if you dislike tragedy
King Lear

King Lear (Arkangel Complete Shakespeare)
William Shakespeare , and Trevor Peacock
Manufacturer: The Audio Partners
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 1932219188

Book Description

King Lear divides his kingdom between his three daughters, basing the portions, so he believes, on the depth of their love for him. This profoundly moving, nihilistic drama is one of Shakespeare's mightiest achievements and one of the greatest tragedies in world literature. Performed by Trevor Peacock, Julia Ford, and the Arkangel Cast.

Customer Reviews:

Worth the purchase, even if you dislike tragedy.......2007-03-08

King Lear has gotten old and wishes now to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. The better praise they give him, the more they receive. With the exile of Lear's youngest daughter, Cordelia, Lear begins to experience the vices of his remaining daughters first-hand, as well as the greed of the illegitamite son of his friend, Glouchester.

The cast was well chosen for this production, although it's heavy-handedness makes for some slow and quieter performances. Samantha Bond shines as the virtueous Cordelia and David Tennant gives a fantastic, if not somewhat subdued performance, as Edgar and Poor Tom. The music between each new scene and act can be a little tiresome, but overall, the production is a well-collaborated one.

I do not favor tragedies as a rule, but I do recommend this play to someone who finds them appealing or wishes to have a well-rounded understanding of Shakespeare's plays.

King Lear.......2007-02-08

This recording is remarkably effective as a piece of theatre. Well-cast, well acted, well conceived.

Average customer rating:

King Lear (Naxos AudioBooks)
Lear
Scofield's second recording after 36 years

King Lear (Naxos AudioBooks)
William Shakespeare
Manufacturer: Naxos Audiobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 9626342447
Release Date: 2002-01-01

Customer Reviews:

King Lear (Naxos AudioBooks).......2006-11-10

This series of Shakespeare's plays is read by artists who have wonderful skills, and you can understand the dialogue better than most stage productions. Frequently Shakespearean stage productions, for time constraints or other reasons typically abridge the complete text. These readings are complete, and can be followed word by word from the written plays. They are the best means to prepare to see a stage production, and can be used as a benchmark for judging performances. Often the directors of contemporary productions make other modifications beyond the text for modern audiences. If you want to hear how the classic version should sound, then this is it.

Lear.......2003-03-09

Although the liner notes describing portions of Act 4 in the boxed set I received were a little amiss, it would be hard to see how the performance itself could be improved. Paul Scofield is absolutely extraordinary as Lear as is Alec McGowen as Glouster and Kenneth Branagh as the Fool. Five stars isn't enough! It's rare that a story like this, which can become quite complex if one isn't familiar with the action, can literally jump off the recording and present us with visual images all along the way. Every actor deserves the highest praise for his/her performance!

Scofield's second recording after 36 years.......2002-04-28

Is there a need for yet another recording of "King Lear"? If it is a superlative reading, then one would quote "Reason not the need" and accept it for a great addition to a swelling library of complete Shakespeare on recordings. We still have available on Caedmon audio tapes the 1965 "Lear" with Paul Scofield in the title role with Pamela Brown and Rachel Roberts as that particularly nasty pair of sisters, Goneril and Regan. 1988 brought out the BBC Audio Book (Modern Library) with Alec Guiness, Jill Bennett and Eilen Atkins in those roles. In 1994 there was a BBC Radio set with John Gielgud, Judi Dench and Eileen Atkins (again) in those three roles; while a late addition to the Arkangel Complete Shakespeare series gave us Trevor Peacock, Penny Downie and Samantha Bond, Peacock giving a more domestic, less grand reading of the role.

Now Naxos Audiobooks has released on tape and CD yet another version with Paul Scofield again, Harriet Walter (Gonerill, as it is spelled on this set), Sara Kestelman (Regan), Emilia Fox (Cordelia), Peter Blythe (Albany), and Jack Klaff (Cornwall) as the dysfunctional royal family. As the parallel set, we have Alec McCowen (Gloucester), Richard McCabe (Edgar), and Toby Stephens (Edmond).

While Kenneth Branagh played the villainous brother in the Gielgud set, he is assigned the Fool in this production with David Burke (Kent) and Matthew Morgan (Oswald).

The reading in the Caedmon recording is in the grand manner, more poetical than is the most recent; but this Naxos effort seems to move faster, is more dramatic (as should be no surprise) in our sense of the word in that it is more realistic, more "modern" sounding. But I would not dismiss the older set by any means.

I found Scofield less earth-shaking in this production, sounding a little more reasonable and vulnerable than in the earlier one--but after 36 years and under a new director (Howard Sackler in 1965, John Tydeman here), an actor must rethink the role. What I do appreciate is that every word in the storm scene is spoken clearly and not drowned out by the sound effects.

Book Description

As flies are to wanton boys, so are we to th' gods: they kill us for their sports, howls King Lear. In artist Ian Pollock's surreal interpretation of Shakespeare's classic tragedy, the abstract wail of "the unaccomodated man" is dramatized in subtle shadings of the old king's anguish.

Every line of dialogue is preserved, and every scene is illustrated in full-color panels arranged on the page in comic book format. As Lear loses his crown, his daughters, his youth, and his dignity, Pollack's paintings keep pace, raising the tension to the level of live performance, and making the nuances of speech and action vividly clear. Pollack's rendition of King Lear is an invaluable aid to both veteran and potential Shakespeare readers.

Customer Reviews:

Better than Sparknotes.......2006-10-27

Reading Shakespeare in class is drearily routine. The teacher picks on some students, they monotone through it, class is over, the students retain nothing and go read Sparknotes. Or she would rent a made-for-cable version for the class to fall asleep while appearing to watch.

Reading King Lear by yourself is hardly any easier, as almost every character is named for some English province and the sisters have male names (Regan is an American President and Goneril sounds like a Mesopotamian demon-god, so only Cordelia is recognizably female.)

Enter Pollock. His scratchy cartooons of almost Peanuts-ian simplisity succeed in getting across the basic picture: We have Fat Balding King Guy (Lear) Tall King Guy (Albany) and his Short Queen (Goneril), Short King Guy (Cornwall) and his Tall Queen (Regan), some guy in an unmistakable Clown Costume (Fool) and finally our Vampire-esque Villan (Edmund). The sisters have big lips and even bigger hair, making up for the masculine names. At times, it just looks like talking heads spouting jibberish at each other, but every production of Shakespeare is guilty of this to some extent. Besides, most students read Lear for the plot, and the handy preface explains most of that motif/characterization/deeper meaning stuff they need for the essay. Plus, which would you rather sit down with, a comic book or a study guide?

Excellent, Excellent Excellent!!! Great intro to Shakespeare.......1999-03-06

I am a theatre arts instructor and I feel that this book is an excellent introduction to Shakespeare's plays. I feel, as do many other people in my field, that the plays of William Shakespeare are meant to be seen as opposed to read. The comic book format gives you the best of both worlds. I have given this book to students who claim not to be able to understand Shakespeare and they literally tear through this book. Very high marks as far as this Professor is concerned!!!

Illustrators vison attracts children to Shakespear.......1997-07-23

In translating Shakespeare to comic book form Ian Pollock must interpet stage direction and consider character development as a director might. To read Shakespeare is to miss both the aural experience and the visual, and necessaraly each players interpretation of his/her role. This comic book format helps replace some of that which is lost. Pollock's interpretation is excellent, and his illustrative style captures the ugliness of Lear very well. One does long for beauty in his illustrations from time to time, but on the whole his interpretation works. What is most facinating perhaps is pollock's appeal to children. The visual ellement helps illucidate the text and make difficult scenes intelligable to children. Middle School aged children will have little difficulty understanding and being facinated by this rich and wonderful play

Average customer rating:

Pretty good

King Lear (Cliffs Notes)
Sheri Metzger
Manufacturer: Cliffs Notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764585827

Book Description

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.

In CliffsNotes on Shakespeare's King Lear, you explore one of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies – the gripping story of greed, treachery, and murder among sisters; and the foolhardiness and revelation of a father.

This study guide carefully walks you through every twist and turn of Shakespeare's classic by providing summaries and critical analyses of each act and scene of the play. You'll also explore the life and background of the "Bard" himself -- William Shakespeare. Other features that help you study include

Character analyses of major players
A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters
Critical essays
A review section that tests your knowledge
Glossaries of difficult words and phrases

Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure – you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

Download Description

In this tragic play, Lear, a ruler in pre-Christian Britain, is described as a "very foolish old man, fourscore and upward." Grossly misjudging his daughters, he endures a harrowing experience and emerges as a man "more sinned against than sinning."

Customer Reviews:

Pretty good.......2004-03-03

This is a good basic intro to studying Lear - but I wouldn't rely solely on this. The Cliff's Complete on Lear is MUCH better and much more in depth. Perhaps use the two together?

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