1. William Shakespeare’s King Lear

2. Date of Composition and Source Most difficult play to pin down Most difficult play to pin down Written after Hamlet and Othello Written after Hamlet and Othello Winter of 1605-1606 Winter of 1605-1606 “Leir” a folk legend king who never actually existed “Leir” a folk legend king who never actually existed Published during his life time Published during his life time

3. Original Title M. William Shak-speare: His True Chronicle Historie of the life and death of King Lear and his three Daughters. With the unfortunate life of Edgar, sonne and heire to the Earle of Gloster, and his sullen and assumed humor of Tom of Bedlam M. William Shak-speare: His True Chronicle Historie of the life and death of King Lear and his three Daughters. With the unfortunate life of Edgar, sonne and heire to the Earle of Gloster, and his sullen and assumed humor of Tom of Bedlam

4. Lear and European History One of the few plays to take place in Britain One of the few plays to take place in Britain Similar to other tragedies- nobility Similar to other tragedies- nobility Believed to be during the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) Believed to be during the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) France loses the battle France loses the battle

5. The Plot and Subplot: Two Parallel Stories Lear and his daughters: Main Plot Lear and his daughters: Main Plot Edgar and his father and brother: subplot Edgar and his father and brother: subplot Parallel stories: their closeness in plot and direction render them mirrors of each other Parallel stories: their closeness in plot and direction render them mirrors of each other Both Lear and Gloucester have faith in the wrong child and reject the right one Both Lear and Gloucester have faith in the wrong child and reject the right one Hook: begins in media res (in the middle of things) Kent, Gloucester (Gloss ter), and Edmund enter stage already in conversation Hook: begins in media res (in the middle of things) Kent, Gloucester (Gloss ter), and Edmund enter stage already in conversation

6. Aristotelian Hamartia Poetics: tragic hero is one who is guilty of hamartia, and perhaps hubris Poetics: tragic hero is one who is guilty of hamartia, and perhaps hubris Hamartia: error of judgment Hamartia: error of judgment Hubris: excessive pride Hubris: excessive pride Lear is guilty of both Lear is guilty of both Existential Hero: architect of his own ruin Existential Hero: architect of his own ruin Fall from high to low Fall from high to low

7. Characters King Lear-Aging King of Britain King Lear-Aging King of Britain Cordelia-Lear’s youngest daughter, disowned for refusing to flatter him Cordelia-Lear’s youngest daughter, disowned for refusing to flatter him Kent-Nobleman who is loyal to Lear, but outspoken Kent-Nobleman who is loyal to Lear, but outspoken Gloucester-Nobleman to Lear, suffers a parallel fate Gloucester-Nobleman to Lear, suffers a parallel fate Edgar-Gloucester’s older legitimate son Edgar-Gloucester’s older legitimate son Fool- Lear’s court jester who gives important advice Fool- Lear’s court jester who gives important advice

8. Characters- Evil Edmund-Gloucester’s Bastard Son who resents his position; cunning in his schemes Edmund-Gloucester’s Bastard Son who resents his position; cunning in his schemes Regan (wife of Cornwall) and Goneril (wife of Albany)- Lear’s daughters who are interested in power and do not care about their father Regan (wife of Cornwall) and Goneril (wife of Albany)- Lear’s daughters who are interested in power and do not care about their father