Sheri Metzger

In this tragic play, Lear, a ruler in pre-Christian Britain, is described as a "very foolish old man, fourscore and upward." Grossly misjudging his daughters, he endures a harrowing experience and emerges as a man "more sinned against than sinning."

This is one of Shakespeare's later plays and can be classified roughly as a romance. While it is an enjoyable fairy tale of sorts, complete with good and bad, uncomplicated love and miraculous incidents, the play also incorporates many of the playwright's common themes, such as the reconciliation of families that endure hardship. This concise supplement to Shakespeare's The Tempest helps students understand the overall structure of the play, actions and motivations of the characters, and the ... more info>>