Wilfrid Perrett in his book The Story of King Lear from Geoffrey of Monmouth to Shakespeare mentions fifty-seven works, which were written before Shakespeare’s tragedy and which include variants of King Lear’s story. However, Shakespeare not only inspired his followers, but he also relied on the previous reworkings of the primary story of King Lear. Numerous performances and adaptations have made this play familiar to almost everyone. This story of naivety, greed and intrigues, but also of true love and forgiveness, has had a great influence upon other dramatists and playwrights since it was published. Lear’s beloved youngest daughter dies and so does the old king. However, this does not end with a happy ending. Lear finds out about the ill nature of his eldest daughters and with Cordelia’s help, he gets back all his power, and the two daughters are punished for the mistreatment of their father. This misjudgement does not go unpunished. Upon his children’s answers, he passes his kingdom only on the two eldest, who flattered him successfully in the love-test, and banishes Cordelia, the youngest one, who only told him the truth. With this purpose, he inquires for the extent of his daughters’ love for him. The main plot of this play is a story of an old king who wants to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. William Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear ranks among his best-known works.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |