Shakespeare's King Lear--Discussion and Summary

How much do you really love me?

See below for links to other Shakespeare discussions:

Richard III: March 4-12

Coriolanus: August 31-September 10

All’s Well That Ends Well: September 12-19

Henry IV Part 1: September 29-October 5

The Merry Wives of Windsor: October 7-13

Henry IV Part 2: October 15-22

Henry V: October 24-31

Henry VIII: November 2-9

Edward III: November 11-17

Timon of Athens: November 19-24

The Two Noble Kinsmen: December 16-23

[Carole.]

I really appreciate your summaries of the plays, so bursting with enthusiasm. 👏🏼

[daveromeo]

Great job, Tim. Your enthusiasm is inspiring, and I appreciate that you always conduct yourself with class.

[gareth_nyc]

I really like your commentaries! I’m going to see Kenneth Branagh play Lear tomorrow night, and I’m glad I watch this summary beforehand!

[Tolstoy]

The Fool only makes sense with a sane Lear. Once Lear truly goes mad, the Fool is no longer dramatically useful.

[arwen]

The way you describe everything makes me better remember the material! thank you so much!

[tehczmych]

Thank you for sharing... I'm looking forward to more

[jerryc]

1:38 - I always thought either a) given there is no mention of Lear’s wife that he needed to obtain affection from his daughters via a transaction i.e. inheritance or b) Lear needed social validation so badly that he needed to but it from his daughters. Either way, it is scary that such a shallow character would be ruling over a presumably vast kingdom.

[petertard]

Cordelia and the Fool might have been played by the same boy actor in Shakespeare's day, as Cordelia disappears with enough time for a costume change in Act One, to re-appear as the Fool. Also, the Fool disappears in Act Three, with enough for a costume change, before re-appearing as Cordelia in Act Four. A modern production really should do this, with the actress playing Cordelia becoming the Fool. This makes the most sense of the disappearance of the Fool. And when Lear says, "And my poor fool is hanged, " that explains it.

[daveromeo]

Tim, did you ever get around to doing the individual act analysis for this play? If so, where can I find them?

[hjosugh]

So, didn't he ever discuss acts 1 and next?

[bacchushollywood]

This is a ridiculous explanation of one of the greatest poetic stories of all time.
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