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Summary: Overlong, but Suspenseful and Wonderfully Nasty
Review: I'm sorry to say that of Shakespeare's four main tragedies (Lear, Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth) I think I like this one least. Othello has such suspense, and plays with the idea of fate controlling our every moves. MacBeth is the dark play that deals with our fears and our primal ids. Hamlet is the supreme story that sums up all of life's ups and downs. And Lear, well...Lear is about relationships. It's best scenes involve communication between two souls, or lack thereof (though Gloucester's blinding scene is quite dramatic). Sadly, Lear is just too long for my liking, and I longed to hear more from the daughters--Regan and Goneril are so nasty you love to hate them, and Cordelia is so gentle that you love to love her. I must say that this is a wonderful play, filled with action and double-crossing, sure to satisfy.
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Summary: Allegory of Elizabethan England
Review: Although King Lear is set in pagan England, 700 years before Christ, the plot is an allegory of the suffering of Catholics under the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Here the old fathers (the Catholic Church) are persecuted by the young (the Church of England) and the realm's most faithful daughter (Cordelia) is sent into exile. A central point in the play is the fool's prophesy when "bawds and whores do churches build." The brutality of Elizabeth's reign is very well portrayed in "Cranmer's Godly Order" by Michael Davies and will provide great insight into the environment that Shakespeare was living. Shakespeare's parents and best friend suffered under this persecution and King Lear was written to encourage recusant Catholics to be patient and persevere in the face of hardship. "The weight of this sad time we must obey." The failed invasion of the French army parallels the failed invasion of the Spanish Armada in its attempt to avenge the murder of Queen Mary. Perhaps for these reasons, King Lear's importance was downplayed for several hundred years in Anglican England and only today it is recognized as Shakespeare's greatest play.
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Summary: Shakespeare's play for all humanity
Review: King Lear, in my opinion, is Shakespeare's most human play. It is about the dramatic relationship between father and child. Shakespeare also writes about this topic in Hamlet and other famous plays. But King Lear is about more than just that, it is about the effects of power, judgement, and truth. From Cordelia's banishment, to her death, Lear unwinds to be a torn, depresed man, and Shakespeare's best character.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent.
Review: King Lear is based on a story whose truth is doubtful, recorded by Geoffrey of Monmouth, of a king (Leir)who unwisely decides to divide his kingdom amongst his three daughters, their shares depending on how well they profess their love for him publically. His last and favored daughter, Cordelia, says that she cannot put her heart in her mouth and that she can only love her father as a daughter should, not to the exagerrated extent that her sisters have claimed, which sickens her. The foolish king, not realizing her sincerety, has her disowned and banished, along with the faithful Earl of Kent who attempts to speak on her behalf. From then on all goes downhill for the king. The tragedy is filled with realizations, especially by Lear in a very lucid sort of madness. It is beautifully written and has a strong subplot. The subplot provides a sharp contrast to Lear's situation and makes him, who was not sympathetic at first, heroic. A main theme is the placement of emphasis on appearances.
Rating: 
Summary: The author is confused
Review: While I enjoyed PARTS of this play, I thought Mr. Shakespeare was a little confused about the central nature of love and compasion. Its still an interestingread, though. I recommend thatyou buy it, despite its nebulous approach toward life and love.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: This masterpiece by Shakespeare deals with the fundamental problems of human existence. It has themes such as love, honor, and the possibility of the universe having no gods or Fate. It is masterfully written and contains incredible characterization. King Lear is a brilliantly realized symbol of power. You are convinced that he is too emotional, but you sympathize with him at the same time. Although the story is nihillistic in its views of such tings as love, it familarizes you with unforgettable characters, such as the emotional Lear and the emotionless Edmund. One of Shakespeare's greatest contributions to the human race.
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Summary: Is he dumb or what ?
Review: This play is certainly a brilliantly written piece. In the midst of tragedy there rises some of the most beautiful language Shakespeare ever wrote. However, maybe the people 300 years ago sympathised with Lear, but I held no sympathy for him because it was his folly which caused his misfortune, and I was so frustrated with him by the end of the play that I was sort of glad that he got what he deserved for being so idiotic. I think that a more fitting name for the play would be The Tragedy of Queen Cordelia since she is the only one I walked out feeling sorry for.
Rating:
Summary: Good!
Review: King Lear is one of the most excellent , brilliant piece of tragedy ever written by Shakespeare. I love Edgar's character as the betrayed son and brother. I applaud Shakespeare in his way of being able to intertwine the plots together.. The themes in this story he used of betrayal and love are classic!!! Only thing I couldn't stand was the language..ughh.....if you aren't fluent in English, forget about reading Shakespeare, much less John Bunyan's " Pilgrim's Progress". I read that too....but never finished it either. Overall I give this a thumbs up for reading. Good work, Shakespeare! (although this praise comes centuries past the date of due).
Rating: 
Summary: Has the world understood it?
Review: No
Rating:
Summary: Shakespeare's tale of trust gone bad...
Review: One of literature's classic dysfunctional families shows itself in King Lear by William Shakespeare. King Lear implicity trusts his three daughters, Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia, but when the third wishes to marry for love rather than money, he banishes her. The two elder ones never felt Lear as a father; they simply did his bidding in an attempt to win his favor to get the kingdom upon his death. Cordelia, on the other hand, always cared for him, but tried to be honest, doing what she felt was right. As Lear realizes this through one betrayal after another, he loses his kingdom -- and what's more, his sanity...The New Folger Library edition has to be among the best representations of Shakespeare I've seen. The text is printed as it should be on the right page of each two-page set, while footnotes, translations, and explanations are on the left page. Also, many drawings and illustrations from other period books help the reader to understand exactly what is meant with each word and hidden between each line.
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