King Lear by William Shakespeare

Goneril and Regan from King Lear, illustration by Edwin Austin Abbey, public domain image

Summary: King Lear is widely held as the greatest of Shakespeare’s tragedies; to some, it is the greatest play ever written. King Lear abdicates the British throne, to divide his kingdom among his three daughters in proportion to their professed love of him. His plan misfires when Cordelia, his youngest and favourite daughter, refuses to flatter her father; she is disinherited and banished. (Summary by David Barnes for Librivox)

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Total running time: 3 hours, 23 minutes

King Lear Cordelia's Farewell by Edwin Austin Abbey, public domain image

Act 1

Act 2

Act 3

King Lear and the Fool in the Storm by William Dyce, public domain image

Act 4

Act 5

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