King Lear by Charles Lamb (1803)
King Lear, written by Charles Lamb, is a tragic play that explores the themes of aging, madness, and the consequences of one's actions. The story follows the title character, King Lear, who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, based on their expressions of love and devotion. However, Lear's decision leads to a series of tragic events, including the loss of his sanity and the deaths of many of his loved ones. The play is known for its complex characters, poetic language, and exploration of universal themes that continue to resonate with audiences today.
By Charles Lamb · First published 1803 · Genre: Drama, Tragedy, Classics · 6,475 words
First lines
Lear, king of Britain, had three daughters; Goneril, wife to the duke of Albany; Regan, wife to the duke of Cornwall; and Cordelia, a young maid, for whose love the king of France and duke of Burgundy were joint suitors, and were at this time making stay for that purpose in the court of Lear.
What this Textopian page supports
King Lear is listed on Textopian as a novella by Charles Lamb, dated 1803 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Charles Lamb
- Date: 1803 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Tragedy, Classics, Historical
- Length: 6,475 words
- Structure: 1 section, 53 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for King Lear by Charles Lamb
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Drama — The central narrative is itself dramatic, characterized by conflict and high emotional intensity. King Lear is one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies and Charles Lamb is known for his theatrical adaptations, which preserve Shakespeare's dramatic elements.
- Tragedy — King Lear's downfall, due his follies, makes the tale a tragedy. This genre is at the heart of many of Shakespeare's works, and Lamb's adaptation remains true to this tragic narrative.
- Classics — Charles Lamb's adaptation of a Shakespearean play makes it a classic for its literary importance and timeless themes. Lamb's work still encapsulates the timeless lessons that resonate to this day.
- Historical — Although not strictly historical, King Lear's setting in ancient Britain and its echoes of familial and royal conflicts common in the past give it aspects of historical genre.
Tags
tragedy · family · betrayal · madness · power · loyalty · blindness · redemption · suffering · fool · kingdom · justice