The Tragedy of King Lear

King Lear is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It depicts the gradual descent into madness of the title character, after he disposes of his kingdom giving bequests to two of his three daughters based on their flattery of him, bringing tragic consequences for all. Derived from the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological pre-RomanCeltic king, the play has been widely adapted for the stage and motion pictures, with the title role coveted by many of the world's most accomplished actors.