King Lear

King Lear

Author: William Shakespeare was born in Stratford - on - Avon in 1564

(April 26). He was the son of  a wealthy tradesman of political

influence. In 1582 he married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years older

than him.

In 1586 he went to London, leaving his wife and children in Stratford.

He died there on April 23rd 1616.

Famous works: Romeo and Juliet, King Henry IV, King Henry VIII and many

others more.

The drama "King Lear" was written in 1605 / 06.

Persons: Lear - King of Britain; an impatient, hot tempered man

Goneril - eldest daughter; wife of the Duke of Albang

Regan - second daughter; wife of the Duke of Cornwall

Cordelia - youngest daughter; wife of the King of France

Earl of Gloucester

Edmund - his bastard son

Earl of Kent

Fool

King Lear: dominating character, is self confident and high handed; he

is too hot tempered;

Has no judge of men and is very impatient. His contempt of men is the

most

Striking attribute.

Fools:   In Shakespeare's works and plays: are the guides through the

plays and interpret the

Truth. They are the clever and wise characters and not the others.

Story: King Lear divides his kingdom among. Daughters according to their

affection. Only the King of France, marries her later, and the Earl of

Kent protect her. Lear banishes his friend the Earl. Edmunds want his

brother's possession. He writes a letter, which convinces the Earl that

Edgar is planning to murder him. Edgar must flee.

In the meantime Goneril treats her father with disrespect and reduces

the number of his follower. He goes to angrily to Regan's castle. Regan

refuse to house her father until he has apologized to Goneril. She leave

Lear together with Kent and his fool out in a terrible storm. The

elements are raging. By and by Lear lose his mind. Gloucester warns him

that his eldest daughter are plotting against his life and he sends him

to Dover  where he will find in army under Cordelia, who came from

France to protect him.

Edmund show Goneril, Regan and the Duke of Cornwall a letter wich

approves his father, working to France. Regan blind the Earl of

Gloucester. Wonderin through the counterpide he meets Poor Tom, take him

to Dover where he will commit suicide. There Edgar leads his father to

the cliffs. Immagining he had jumped from them, Gloucester finds himself

save by miracle. The Duke of Albany has defeat the French, Cordelia and

Lear are imprisoned and Edmund orders their execution. Goneril poison

Regan because both love Edmund. When the mother turns out she stab

herself.

Edgar kills Edmund in a fight. Then he save Lear and Cordelia, but it is

too late. She is already hanged and he die of a broken heart.