King Lear is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful and widely performed plays. The characters are intensely complex, and it weaves together a plethora of different themes. At its heart is Lear himself. Bullishly self-assured in the opening scene, he becomes increasingly volatile and vindictive, before descending into a storm of confusion and despair.
I watched the movie with Anthony Hopkins a few years ago. Great film. Your analysis of the play has reopened my interest in the story. Thank you for sharing, James!
Love the play, its words still come to me after studying it for A Level many moons ago. I saw the Branagh version in London late last year -- it was a magnificent, savage production. I think you are right, James, to highlight the layered text and the continual relevance to the human condition. The corruption of power, the vanity of an old man who gives away his kingdom on a whim, believing his daughters will safeguard him. One who denounces his favourite child because she tells the truth and refuses to flatter him. So much to learn from the play -- not least the masterly dovetailing of a subplot, featuring another conniving child hungry for power (Edmund) and his smooth manipulation of his gullible father. There is no greater fool than an old fool, the saying goes. Now, can anyone tell me, did Shakespeare come up with this gem?
This was my favourite Shakespear book/play from high school. I remember Cordelia saying to her father 'I love you as much as fresh meat needs salt (or something like that). Not sure why that stuck with me all these years. Now I need to watch the movie. Thank you for sharing ♡
A very powerful piece, James. It's a story that resonates so much over the years, and can be read and acted in so many ways. The last scene with Lear carrying the body of Cordelia, begging her to take one more breath - devastating.
It has been a lifetime since I looked at Shakespeare’s King Lear. You have intrigued me especially how it relates to the human condition now. I will check if Amazon is still offering it. Thanks for sharing recap and insights.
It is also a story of how our human notions and use of power corrupt and distort reality; how people in power are more often than not the least able to apprehend the redeeming power of Love.
King Lear, to me, is a tragedy about how humans fail to see Love as the ultimate power. The rest is dross.
I remember seeing a production on TV in the 1980s. Olivier played Lear with Diana Rigg and Dorothy Tutin as Regan and Goneril, Anna Calder-Marshall as Cordelia. Absolutely brilliant and I never forgot it.
Nice to read this examination of other interesting productions. Thanks, James!
Thanks James, scarred by school experiences I have watched only a handful of Shakespeare plays over the years, but you’ve enthused me to give Lear a go. My younger daughter is just finishing drama school and I dearly hope to watch her perform Shakespeare (whose birth/death date I share) in years to come. x
So great to hear that your daughter wants to be an actor! 🎭 King Lear is such a masterpiece. If you’ve got time, do watch Richard Eyre’s adaptation on BBC iPlayer. It’s brilliant! https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0b57d0w
I watched the movie with Anthony Hopkins a few years ago. Great film. Your analysis of the play has reopened my interest in the story. Thank you for sharing, James!
Oh, that's great to hear. Thanks, Daniel!
Love the play, its words still come to me after studying it for A Level many moons ago. I saw the Branagh version in London late last year -- it was a magnificent, savage production. I think you are right, James, to highlight the layered text and the continual relevance to the human condition. The corruption of power, the vanity of an old man who gives away his kingdom on a whim, believing his daughters will safeguard him. One who denounces his favourite child because she tells the truth and refuses to flatter him. So much to learn from the play -- not least the masterly dovetailing of a subplot, featuring another conniving child hungry for power (Edmund) and his smooth manipulation of his gullible father. There is no greater fool than an old fool, the saying goes. Now, can anyone tell me, did Shakespeare come up with this gem?
It's such a masterpiece. So great that you got to see the Branagh production last year! 🎭
The staging was so menacing -- at the end they drenched it in blood red light ...
Sounds great. Really enjoyed watching Richard Eyre's adaptation on BBC iPlayer. ✨️
This was my favourite Shakespear book/play from high school. I remember Cordelia saying to her father 'I love you as much as fresh meat needs salt (or something like that). Not sure why that stuck with me all these years. Now I need to watch the movie. Thank you for sharing ♡
Great to hear that you love King Lear too. It's such a masterpiece! ✨️
Amazing post and thorough explanation of this thunderous and grueling saga. Thank you.
Thanks, Jeanine. ✨️
A very powerful piece, James. It's a story that resonates so much over the years, and can be read and acted in so many ways. The last scene with Lear carrying the body of Cordelia, begging her to take one more breath - devastating.
Thanks, Ann! King Lear is my favourite of Shakespeare’s tragedies. It's such a masterpiece. ✨️
I’ve never seen the Hopkins version you mention— now it’s going on my list! Thx for this—
You'll love it - it's brilliant! ✨️
It has been a lifetime since I looked at Shakespeare’s King Lear. You have intrigued me especially how it relates to the human condition now. I will check if Amazon is still offering it. Thanks for sharing recap and insights.
Thanks, Monica. That's great to hear. ✨️
It is also a story of how our human notions and use of power corrupt and distort reality; how people in power are more often than not the least able to apprehend the redeeming power of Love.
King Lear, to me, is a tragedy about how humans fail to see Love as the ultimate power. The rest is dross.
I remember seeing a production on TV in the 1980s. Olivier played Lear with Diana Rigg and Dorothy Tutin as Regan and Goneril, Anna Calder-Marshall as Cordelia. Absolutely brilliant and I never forgot it.
Nice to read this examination of other interesting productions. Thanks, James!
Thanks, Jules! 🎭
Thanks James, scarred by school experiences I have watched only a handful of Shakespeare plays over the years, but you’ve enthused me to give Lear a go. My younger daughter is just finishing drama school and I dearly hope to watch her perform Shakespeare (whose birth/death date I share) in years to come. x
So great to hear that your daughter wants to be an actor! 🎭 King Lear is such a masterpiece. If you’ve got time, do watch Richard Eyre’s adaptation on BBC iPlayer. It’s brilliant! https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0b57d0w
Thanks - am adding it to my watch list for when she’s next home. Xx