King Lear

Definition

King Lear is one of William Shakespeare's most famous tragedies. The play tells the story of an aging king who divides his kingdom among his daughters based on their flattery, only to face disastrous consequences as he loses everything he holds dear.

Related terms

Tragedy:

Tragedy is a genre in literature that portrays serious events leading to sorrowful outcomes for its characters. It often explores themes such as fate, human flaws, and moral dilemmas.

Hubris: Hubris refers to excessive pride or arrogance that leads to a character's downfall. In King Lear, the titular character's hubris blinds him to the true intentions of those around him and ultimately leads to his tragic fate.

Filial Ingratitude: Filial ingratitude refers to the betrayal or lack of gratitude shown by a child towards their parent. This theme is prominent in King Lear as two of Lear's daughters, Goneril and Regan, display filial ingratitude by mistreating their father.