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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
It’s been years since I tackled Shakespeare. This is my first visit to “King Lear.” It’s a truism that the Bard is best experienced in the theatre, and Lear is considered one of his most demanding plays. Indeed, I found it rough going. The first problem of course is the Elizabethan English. But a secondary problem is that a modern reader needs plot assistance. My Signet version offered no convenient scene summaries, unlike the Folger version of “Hamlet” I’m now reading. So there was much groping in the dark.
Some critics say Lear is unpopular with audiences due to its shocking violence (the blinding of Gloucester and the murder of Cordelia)…but really, after the Holocaust, atom bomb, Sandy Hook, and our regular diet of evening news stories? Maybe these critics are referring to audiences of Shakespeare’s time. Other critics make a big to-do over the existence of a side plot (the Cain-and-Abel story of Edmund and Edgar), but aren’t dual plotlines a literary norm these days?
The violence and side plot bothered me not at all. The antiquated, metaphorical English, yes. Guess I need to see this one in the theatre.
Some critics say Lear is unpopular with audiences due to its shocking violence (the blinding of Gloucester and the murder of Cordelia)…but really, after the Holocaust, atom bomb, Sandy Hook, and our regular diet of evening news stories? Maybe these critics are referring to audiences of Shakespeare’s time. Other critics make a big to-do over the existence of a side plot (the Cain-and-Abel story of Edmund and Edgar), but aren’t dual plotlines a literary norm these days?
The violence and side plot bothered me not at all. The antiquated, metaphorical English, yes. Guess I need to see this one in the theatre.
Me ha gustado mucho. Además de ser una obra muy potente a la hora de explorar relaciones filiales (en ello se basa toda la trama), ésta cumple, dándonos asimismo una subtrama muy bien desarrollada que se intercala e influye en la principal. Los personajes muy buenos, variados y con una marcada personalidad. ¡Qué mala es la vejez!
La última estrella se le resiste, en realidad, por una mera cuestión de traducción: al igual que en Hamlet, es complicado de entender en profunidad porque los temas expuestos, referencias y retórica son complejos. Puede que en el inglés nativo de la obra fuese éste un punto a su favor, mas no en español.
La última estrella se le resiste, en realidad, por una mera cuestión de traducción: al igual que en Hamlet, es complicado de entender en profunidad porque los temas expuestos, referencias y retórica son complejos. Puede que en el inglés nativo de la obra fuese éste un punto a su favor, mas no en español.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I have read this previously. What awful sisters. And Edmund. A slog due to the terrible characters, I dislike deceit. I think I have to go 4 stars because and despite of the end.
challenging
dark
slow-paced
This time I did not read Shakespeare for a class but privately. It reminded me of two things: The first is that I like tragedies much more than Comedies or History Plays: give me all the good villains, the bloodshed and the death. I’ll devour it.
My second point — and I won’t be able to write a review that is as coherent and smart as the ones already on here so I’ll say this — it reminded me that Shakespeare is timeless. You hear that all the time. But what does that even mean? It means that even though the plays were written and performed in Early Modern English society, their themes can easily be adapted to our times. And that’s the case here: Lear is a character who struggles mentally, needs help. Regardless of whether or not he is a good person, he needs support and understanding and (with the exception of Kent and the Fool who stay with him) he does not receive that. It is exactly what is still happening in our times, mental illnesses are stigmatized and misunderstood, those who struggle are left alone. And that’s what I mean by “Shakespeare is timeless” — what happened to Lear certainly happens in the 21st century.
“King Lear” is a play that is not easy to read. It deals with pretty heavy topics and generally represents dark atmosphere and attitudes. Yet, that’s what I liked about it the most. I like it when my reading gets darker, when it gives me the shivers. It made me think a lot and I also like it when literature does that.
I can’t wait to experience it on stage this month and see what the acting company in the Globe makes of it. The actress who plays Lear already did the role some time ago and got praises for it so I’m in for a treat I think!!
My second point — and I won’t be able to write a review that is as coherent and smart as the ones already on here so I’ll say this — it reminded me that Shakespeare is timeless. You hear that all the time. But what does that even mean? It means that even though the plays were written and performed in Early Modern English society, their themes can easily be adapted to our times. And that’s the case here: Lear is a character who struggles mentally, needs help. Regardless of whether or not he is a good person, he needs support and understanding and (with the exception of Kent and the Fool who stay with him) he does not receive that. It is exactly what is still happening in our times, mental illnesses are stigmatized and misunderstood, those who struggle are left alone. And that’s what I mean by “Shakespeare is timeless” — what happened to Lear certainly happens in the 21st century.
“King Lear” is a play that is not easy to read. It deals with pretty heavy topics and generally represents dark atmosphere and attitudes. Yet, that’s what I liked about it the most. I like it when my reading gets darker, when it gives me the shivers. It made me think a lot and I also like it when literature does that.
I can’t wait to experience it on stage this month and see what the acting company in the Globe makes of it. The actress who plays Lear already did the role some time ago and got praises for it so I’m in for a treat I think!!
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
High-tier Shakespeare. Really great characters, and the third act especially is one of my favourites. A king going mad in the middle of a storm, and the only person there to comfort him is the fool? That's Peak right there
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes