The History of Literature #104 – King Lear

We all know that Shakespeare’s King Lear is one of the greatest tragedies ever written. But was it too tragic? Dr. Johnson thought it might be. Leo Tolstoy thought it was just a bad play – causing George Orwell to come valiantly to Shakespeare’s defense. Jacke Wilson takes a look at the play that starts with a famous nothingand ends with a horrible something, moving from fairy tale to something far darker.

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Show Notes: 

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Music Credits:

Handel – Entrance to the Queen of Sheba” by Advent Chamber Orchestra (From the Free Music Archive / CC by SA).



3 responses to “The History of Literature #104 – King Lear”

  1. I enjoyed this conversation about Lear. I have been studying it this year, slowly. It takes me awhile to wrap myself around Shakespeare’s stories.

    Have you seen “If I Were You”?

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    1. Sounds like a good project! No, I don’t think I’ve ever seen “If I Were You.” I’ll check it out.

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      1. In the midst of strange circumstances, Marcia Gay Harden plays Lear in an interesting version of the play

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