King Lear

King Lear
King Lear is another one of William Shakespeare's renowned plays. It is also considered to be one of the greatest tragedies Shakespeare wrote. The play is founded on the legend of King Lear of Britain.

Many actors have played the part of Lear. Lear is an old man, but actors of a much younger bracket are known to play his role. The reason for this is that the role is thought to be physically and emotionally strenuous.

There are 2 distinctive adaptations of the play. One is The True Chronicle of the History of the Life and Death of King Lear and His Three Daughters . The other is The Tragedy of King Lear.

CarlsbadSources:
King Lear is based on various accounts of the semi-legendary Leir, who was a King of the Britons. This story was first written down by the 12th century historian, a Geoffrey of Monmouth. Shakespeare's main source is thought to be the second version of The Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande [1587]. This was written by Raphael Holinshed. 'Cordelia' [the bane] was most likely taken from Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene [1590].

CarlsbadDate and text:
There are many editors of King Lear that date the play back to somewhere between 1603 and 1606. It could have been written as late as 1606, as the Stationers' Register says there was a performance on December 26, 1606.

Performance history:
December 26, 1606 marked the first performance of King Lear, and is said to be the only one known sate on which the play was performed in Shakespeare's era. It was acted out again after the theatres were back in business at the beginning of the Restoration era. It was performed in its original form around 1675. Adaptations were liberally applied to Shakespeare's plays during that period. Nahum Tate produced one adaptation in 1681. This adaptation of the play had a happy ending. Edgar and Cordelia marry, and Lear is restored to kingship. In Britain, the play was banned in the latter 18th and early 19th century. The government disliked the characterization of a mad monarch, as George III was insane at that time.

Synopsis:
King Lear starts with the king taking the decision to renounce the throne and distribute his kingdom among his three daughters [Goneril, Regan and Cordelia]. The elder two daughters of the king are married. Cordelia has many proposals.

Due to Lear being senile, suggests a contest. He says each of his daughters shall be given lands according to how much they show their love for him [in speech]. However, the plan misfires. Cordelia refuses to compete in this manner with her elder sisters. She believes it would only degrade her true feelings to flatter him simply for a reward.

King Lear has been interpreted by different societies. In Communist Russia, it emphasized on the suffering of the common people, and highlighted the oppressive nature of a monarch [Korol Lear, 1970]. The Jewish community version emphasized other aspects. Lear's suffering were seen as a form of purgatory, under a changing religious climate in contemporary England. This is seen in King Lear as well as Hamlet.