Context (Leaving Cert English): Revision Notes

Context

King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, written between 1603 and 1606. The play revolves around an ageing king who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, only to be betrayed by the two older, greedy ones.

Historically, King Lear was considered one of Shakespeare's greatest works, but it wasn't always appreciated. For a long time, it was seen as a theatrical failure—too complex, dark, and violent, with the on-stage blinding of Gloucester being particularly shocking. The play's bleak ending, where the innocent Cordelia dies, upset audiences so much that an 18th-century adaptation gave it a happy ending instead.

However, the perception of "King Lear" changed dramatically in the 1960s. Post-Holocaust and two World Wars, its portrayal of human suffering and existential dread seemed realistic rather than overly cynical. Critics like Jan Kott compared it to Samuel Beckett's existentialist plays, recognising its depth and resonance with contemporary audiences. Since then, "King Lear" has enjoyed immense popularity, being frequently performed and studied for its powerful depiction of human nature and societal flaws.