I first read King Lear close to fifty years ago. I guess I saw it as just a class room assignment. (For younger book bloggers I hope so much society and circumstances will allow them to one day have fifty year old book blogs.) I recalled the pedagogue presenting the drama as centering on a very old man spiraling into dementia with three daughters, two evil and selfish and one good. In Lear's confusion he cannot see which of his daughters truly loves him and which are just waiting for him to die to divide his kingdom.
Now as I read it I thought of my own three daughters, 16, 18, and 21, all well into adulthood and marriageable in 1606. I thought what can I say on my blog about this play. It is in contention for the title of world's greatest drama along with Hamlet and a few Ancient Greek works. The part of Lear has to be an actor's dream role. It is a still very timely study in power politics and speaks deeply to the human aging process. As you read it, as in much of Shakespeare, you will recognize lines as now common parts of the English language.
I think my next Shakespeare will be The Merchant of Venice, which will be new to me.
4 comments:
While Hamlet does have some excellent poetry, I find it very tedious to watch on stage. Lear is much better drama, in my opinion. Hamlet goes on and on with his poetry, while Lear breaks your heart into a million pieces by repeating a single word--never, never, never, never, never.
That's great drama. See what you think of Merchant of Venice. I agree with Auden on this one. The less said about it the better. ;-)
James. I have never seen Shakespeare on stage though I have seen some movie versions. I am looking forward to the Merchsnt of Venice.
I've never read King Lear but I want to crack open the dramas in my Shakespeare collection this year and read one. I'm leaning towards Much Ado About Nothing or Midsummer Night's Dream. But I want to get to all of them eventually!
Becca Lostinbooks. I hope also to get to all the plays. Thanks so much for your visit
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