Reviews

King Henry the Fifth With Introduction and Notes Explanatory and Critical, for U by William Shakespeare

marci7's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

samranakhtar's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

shadesofpemberley's review against another edition

challenging dark sad fast-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

classick's review against another edition

funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

ed_moore's review against another edition

dark reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Comparing to the most recent Shakespeare I read, the Tempest, King Lear was a significant improvement. It is one of the “four great tragedies” and it lives up to the name. Regarding the “tragedy” section of its title, Lear in no means disappoints. It is a tale of backstabbing and greed as the ageing King Lear divides his kingdom and grants it to his three daughters. The finale of the play is as a whole satisfying whereas my only gripe would be that some of the tragedy seems to just ‘happen’ off stage without any real cause or explanation, and seems to exist solely for shock purposes in what was already a very shocking finale. Other than that quibble, the build up and finale were largely satisfying and in the plays effort to live up to its title as a “great” tragedy I shall let the unnecessary shock elements pass.  

lexarobinson's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

wcharliebrown's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bruathayde's review against another edition

dark reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

broomgrass's review against another edition

5.0

I didn't fully understand King Lear until I watched several clips from different performances, but I understand why it's often regarded as Shakespeare's best play. And can I give a shout-out to the lady villains? Nothing like a good lady villain!

cliobemuzedbookworm's review against another edition

3.0

I want to enjoy Shakespeare but barely grasp what is going on most of the time.
Had some interesting thematic and characters and a good ending.
Couldn't really get into. I should try to see as a play instead of trying to read the text as it is.