# King Lear

By William Shakespeare.

"King Lear" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written in late 1605 or early 1606. Set in pre-Roman Britain, the play follows King Lear's catastrophic decision to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their declarations of love. When his youngest daughter speaks honestly rather than flatteringly, Lear disowns her, triggering a chain of betrayals, madness, and destruction. Known for its dark tone and themes of blindness and madness, the play is regarded as one of literature's greatest achievements. (Summary by Project Gutenberg, written by machine.)

- Language: English
- Subjects: Tragedies (Drama); Fathers and daughters -- Drama; Inheritance and succession -- Drama; Lear, King (Legendary character) -- Drama; Britons -- Drama; Kings and rulers -- Drama; Aging parents -- Drama

[Read it](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/books/gutenberg/1532/read)
[Plain text](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/api/books/gutenberg/1532/text)

## Audiobooks of it

- [King Lear](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/books/librivox/758) by William Shakespeare (3 h 23 min, English)
- [Tragedy of King Lear (version 3)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/books/librivox/12727) by William Shakespeare (3 h 43 min, English)

From Project Gutenberg. Public domain in the United States.