King Lear

William Shakespeare's King Lear is believed by many scholars to be one of his finest achievements. King Lear tells of the tragedy resulting from the title character dividing his kingdom among his daughters based upon their ability to flatter his ego. Lear missteps in dispersing his kingdom between the sycophantic Regan and Goneril while disinheriting the plainspoken, honest Cordelia. The reverence previously displayed by Regan and Goneril proves to be fickle once their estates are assured, and the innocent and those at fault all pay a heavy price for Lear's vanities.