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: 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: Shakespeare's finest tragedy
Review: King Lear is perhaps Shakespeare's most psychologically dark tragedy, though many may argue for Macbeth. The central theme is that of the family and the emotional and physical exile that can be brought about for simple material gain. The naive and pitiable Lear with his Cinderella-esque children, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia present all that is right and wrong with a father's relationship with his children. From his opening gambit:
"What will thoust say to gain
A third more opulent than thine sisters?"
We see exactly why the terrible tragedy must unfold. The side plot between Edmund and Edgar, the donning of the garb of the madman whilst Lear descends in to madness mirrored by his dying Fool is one of humanity's greatest literary tragedies. Whilst the 'baddies' lose in the end, there is no victory, only self-realisation and, ultimately, death. Lear's supporting cast of characters can only dance to the tune he sets in slow, unalterable motion, and there can be no silver lining at the end. Only a deep and terrible understanding of the destruction of the human psyche.
'Lear' drives home the failings of the human soul but ensures that inner understanding and remorse is attainable at a great price. It is Shakespeare's finest tragedy.
Rating:
Summary: Shakespeare's Best, in its best edition
Review: King Lear itself truly needs no comment; it is, simply put, the single greatest work of the single most important writer in world history. What does need comment, however, is the edition published by Pelican Shakespeare. Pelican's King Lear is unquestionably the best edition that one can use to tackle this challenging yet incredible work of drama. The notes are clear, yet not overpowering. Unlike other editions, who force definitions and explanations at the reader, The Pelican Shakespeare subtly signals when an explanation is offered with margin markers, yet does not interrupt the readers flow while reading. In addition, the introductory and concluding essays an explanations further relate and make accessible this timeless play.
Rating:
Summary: Shakespeare at his best
Review: King Lear was written at Shakespeare's most prolific period, a time in which he rapidly composed Hamlest, Othello, and Macbeth. I believe, without a moments hesitation, that King Lear is his greatest work, and probably the greatest play ever written. The plot moves quickly with excitement and action. The central themes of the play (among which are abandonment, unconditional love, and self-realization) are some of the most serious and important aspects of human nature. The play brings up many important quiestions: Why should we forgive others? Can we ever trust someone? All of these areanswered in this play. I recently saw a professional production of the play, and found myself quickly moving from emotions of fear, to laughing, to wrath, and at the climactic end of the play, breaking down into tears, having been drained by the plays rapid motion and tension. This play will live with me forever.
Rating:
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: Good and Evil at Their Most Intense
Review: Like "The Comedy of Errors," "Hamlet," and "Richard III," this is a phenomenal masterpiece beyond expectations. Goneril, Regan, Cornwall, and Edmund are the most frightening and demonic characters in Shakespeare's writing. (Only his King Richard III compares). I can not overemphasize Shakespeare's mastery of writing in how he gradually unfolds the evil of these characters. While we may not know what to think of them at first, we soon learn that they would do Satan proud. Lear is handled well. First we don't know what to think of him, but then we are moved into VERY DEEP AND INTENSE pity for him. Cordelia, Kent, and Edgar are three of the most Christ like characters in Shakespeare's writings. The virtuous Albany also displays Shakespeare's best skills. First we hardly see him, but other characters express Albany's contempt for the diabolical Cornwall several times. In 4.2, his fury at his demonic wife shows us that he is planning a bold countermove. By 5.3, Albany actually takes on all 3 of the remaining monstrously evil characters. Shakespeare also offers us powerful dramatic irony with the fool. He also offers us powerful (and very terrifying) images. There are also several moving passages in this play. (Especially Edgar's soliloquy 3.6.111-125). Somehow, Shakespeare even managed to squeeze some welcome comical touches in.
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 <i>King Lear</i> 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.
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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