The Canon Library
Cover of King Lear

Early Modern · Tragedy

King Lear

by William Shakespeare. An aging king divides his realm according to flattery and unleashes political chaos and intimate catastrophe.

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Date
c. 1605–1606
Origin
England
Era
Early Modern
Genre
Tragedy
Canon tier
Essential core
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
Medium
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

Why it matters

An aging king divides his realm according to flattery and unleashes political chaos and intimate catastrophe.

This work is included on the basis of great books / bloom. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.

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The Tempest

William Shakespeare · Early Modern · Romance, drama

Reading paths featuring King Lear

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Reading path

Essential 100

A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.