The Signet Classics edition of one of William Shakespeare's greatest tragedies.

Full of cruelty and betrayal,King Learis the timeless and timely story of a kingdom held in the thrall of an aging ruler's descent into madness. Desperate for praise, he banishes those who would guide him with honesty and surrounds himself with sycophants—an action which leads to his ultimately tragic downfall...

This revised Signet Classics edition includes unique features such as:

• An overview of Shakespeare's life, world, and theater
• A special introduction to the play by the editor, Russell Fraser
• Selections from Raphael Holinshed'sChronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, Sir Philip Sidney'sArcadia, andThe True Chronicle History of King Lear, the sources from which Shakespeare derivedKing Lear
• Dramatic criticism from Samuel Johnson, A. C. Bradley, John Russell Brown, and others
• A comprehensive stage and screen history of notable actors, directors, and productions
• Text, notes, and commentaries printed in the clearest, most readable text
• And more...

King Lear - William Shakespeare - Edited by Russell Fraser Samuel Johnson:From?Preface to Shakespeare? and ?King Lear?
A. C. Bradley:FromShakespearean Tragedy
Harley Granville-Barker:FromPrefaces to Shakespeare
Maynard Mack:From?King Lear? in Our Time
Linda Bamber: The Woman Reader in ?King Lear?
Sylvan Barnet: ?King Lear? on the Stage and Screen

NEWLY ADDED ESSAYS:
John Russell Brown: Staging Violence in ?King Lear?