King Lear, known as one of Shakespeare’s most poignant tragedies, is the story of the titular king and his catastrophic downfall. At a certain age, every king must pass down his crown, and when it is his time, King Lear decides to bequeath his kingdom to two of his daughters who seemingly love him the most. He unceremoniously rejects his third daughter – the brightest, most sincere of them all. This decision, made in haste and hubris, unfolds in a terrible downward spiral for the king and his family. A story of power and politics, love and family, duty and respect, wisdom and madness – King Lear is both devastating and moving, and even amidst tragedy, brings forth hope.
