King Lear: Context

King Lear: Context

  • William Shakespeare: A highly influential English playwright and poet, famous for his tragedies, comedies, and historical plays, including “King Lear.”
  • Globe Theatre: A London-playhouse where many of Shakespeare’s works, such as “King Lear”, was originally performed.
  • King James I: The monarch during Shakespeare’s lifetime, under whose rule England saw a flourishing of literature and drama, including the works of Shakespeare.
  • Jacobean England: A historical period marked by political and socioeconomic changes, and characterised by religious tension, reflected in the complex themes of “King Lear.”
  • The King’s Men: A group of actors, with Shakespeare as one of its members, who performed in the court of King James I, showcasing plays like “King Lear.”
  • Religion in Shakespeare’s England: Refers to the religious disputes and tensions of the time, which feature prominently in many of Shakespeare’s plays, including the conflicts of loyalty and belief in “King Lear.”
  • Shakespearean Tragedy: A genre of drama that typically involves a high-ranking character’s downfall, exemplified by the title character’s fall from grace in “King Lear.”
  • Royal Line of Succession: A theme within “King Lear” that explores issues of power, legitimacy, and inheritance, as the ageing King Lear’s decision to divide his kingdom among his daughters sparks a tragic chain of events.