King Lear

King Lear is generally regarded as one of William Shakespeare's greatest tragedies. It is believed to have been written in 1605 and is based on the legend of Leir, a king of pre-Roman Britain. His story had already been told in chronicles, poems and sermons, as well as on the stage, when Shakespeare undertook the task of retelling it.

Reworkings

Since the 1950s, there have been various "reworkings" of King Lear. These are the major works:

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• The novel A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
• The play Lear by Edward Bond

Further Trivia

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A radio performance of the play on BBC Radio 3 in the UK was used by the Beatles for the song "I Am the Walrus"; it can be heard at the end of the song. King Lear's statement "bury my body" (Act IV Scene VI) was interpreted by fans as one of many pieces of "evidence" that band member Paul McCartney was dead.

Related Topics:
BBC Radio 3 - The Beatles - "I Am the Walrus" - Paul McCartney was dead

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