King Lear Book download in PDF, ePub & Mobi

King Lear is one of William Shakespeare's major tragedies, which was written during 1603 and first performed in 1604. It is based on the Historia Regum Britanniae written around 1135 by Godfrey of Monmouth, of Celtic root. Its main theme is the ingratitude of children towards their parents.

According to the Historia regum Britanniae, Lear is a legendary sovereign of Brittany who in old age decided to divide his kingdom between his daughters and their respective husbands even though he would maintain his royal authority.

Lear asks his daughters to declare their affection. The older daughters, Goneril and Regan, are very flattering and try to entertain their father. This flattering impudence strongly angers the youngest daughter, Cordelia, who replies that her affection is that which every daughter feels for her father. This answer pisses off Lear and he decides to withdraw the inheritance from Cordelia and distribute it to the other two daughters.

Cordelia is disinherited but soon her life will change when she finds love in the arms of a powerful man...

The story of Lear comes from the oral tradition of various cultures. The historical Lear would have lived before the foundation of Rome, that is, in the 8th century BC. C.