King Lear

[leer]

noun

1. a tragedy (1606) by Shakespeare.

King Lear

1. A tragedy by William Shakespeare about an old king who unwisely hands his kingdom over to two of his daughters. The daughters, who had flattered Lear while he was in power, turn on him; their actions reduce him to poverty and eventually to madness. His youngest daughter, Cordelia, whom he had at first spurned, remains faithful to him.

Example Sentences

The resulting evening will take equal reference from “King Lear” and food-driven reality shows.

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He has appeared in King Lear before, as Edgar opposite Sir Laurence Olivier in a TV version in 1983 - filmed in Granada TV's Manchester studio.

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The Scottish actor trained at Dundee Rep Theatre before moving on to perform with the Royal Lyceum Theatre, the Royal National Theatre and the RSC, where he gained acclaim for playing King Lear.

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“Gypsy” has been called the “King Lear” of musicals for the capstone tyrannical parent role it provides an actor of a certain age.

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The epic scale of “King Lear” can engender reluctance in theatergoers.

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