A review by sjstuart
The Tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare

challenging dark emotional informative fast-paced

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

3.5

I often struggle to actually enjoy Shakespeare, at least in written form, but this was among the more satisfying ones to read, for me. The various subplots are well structured and aren't too convoluted for me to keep track of. The themes are easy to connect to, as well: ambition corrupting the power-hungry; heroic levels of loyalty even when it may not be deserved; conflict and devotion between generations. It's still Shakespeare, of course. The villains are over-the-top bad; the sympathetic characters are paragons of virtue, and the changes of heart are whiplash-inducing. Plus the language delivers the usual combination of headaches and etymological insights.