The Tragedy of King Lear depicts the descent of the title character into madness after retiring from power and disposing of his kingdom. Father to three daughters, he promises the larger share to the one who loves him most.  Two of his daughters, Goneril and Regan, flatter him with superficial affection and respect and are awarded accordingly. Cordelia, his favorite, tells him there is nothing to which her love can be compared, that there are no words to express it. Lear misunderstands and, infuriated, disinherits her, the first of numerous blunders which lead to tragic endings.  Lear travels to Goneril’s realm to reside with a retinue of 100 knights where they are treated shabbily. When Goneril diminishes his retinue, Lear leaves in a huff for Regan’s, where he is similarly treated, whereupon Lear succumbs to his rage and rushes out to rant on the heath in a storm. In the meantime, Edmund, illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, plots to dispose first of his older brother and conspires with first Regan, then Goneril, to eliminate all claimants to the throne in one way or another. No one survives.

Based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological Celtic king from pre-Roman times, the play is considered one of Shakespeare’s finest works. Scholars believe Lear was first written in 1603 and first performed in 1606. The role of Lear is one of the most challenging and has been played by the many of the world’s most accomplished actors. Playwright George Bernard Shaw wrote, “No man will ever write a better tragedy than Lear”.

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