King Lear
The Tragedy of King Lear
A great book. First published AD 1608, written in English
The Tragedy of King Lear, often shortened to King Lear, is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare in late 1605 or early 1606. Set in pre-Roman Britain, the play depicts the consequences of King Lear's love-test, in which he divides his power and land according to the praise of his daughters. The play is known for its dark tone, complex poetry, and prominent motifs concerning blindness, madness and human nature.
Your reading
Sign in to add this book to your map.
Where it is set
- Great Britain
United Kingdom
Set in pre-Roman Britain, the play depicts the consequences of King Lear's love-test, in which he divides his power and land according to the praise of his daughters. Source: Wikipedia, reviewed
Its heirs
Later works that draw on King Lear.
Wuthering HeightsGreat book
Emily Brontë, AD 1847
Emily Brontë's novel is full of Shakespeare. From King Lear come the storm on the moor and the family torn apart by inheritance and cruelty, with Heathcliff raging at the elements.
Source: Wikipedia, Wuthering Heights
“There are echoes of and allusions to Shakespeare's tragedies, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Hamlet in Wuthering Heights.” Read it there
Moby-DickGreat book
Herman Melville, AD 1851
Melville read Shakespeare intensely while writing Moby-Dick and marked his copy of King Lear heavily. Ahab raging at the whale has much of Lear raging at the storm, and Pip, the cabin boy driven mad, is often read as his Fool.
Source: Wikipedia, Moby-Dick
%20-%20Wuthering%20Heights%2C%201847.jpg?width=240)
