In times of change, stress or general uneasiness, I find myself repeatedly quoting Shakespeare.

There is something truly soothing in the knowledge that he penned all those unforgettable lines over 400 years ago and they still hold such profound meaning - sometimes even more sense than our most recent literary output. I know that I am in the throes of some kind of identity crisis when King Lear comes to my mind once again, and I open the highly impractical "Collected Works of Shakespeare" and attempt to find Lear without completely shattering the suffering spine of the book.

“Who is it that can tell me who I am?” That was the quote that was constantly swirling in my head, and I located it quickly enough following my post-it signs. But of course, Shakespeare, being the magician that he is, lures me into his world, and I find myself rereading significant portions of the entire play. It doesn't necessarily make me forget my everyday worries, for Shakespeare is no escapism writer. Rather, I feel that my concerns and thoughts are placed within a broader, more noble context, as they can be related to that master of words, plots, characters, and everything human. Shakespeare doesn't provide me with answers, but he gives my questions legitimacy.

"I am a man more sinned against than sinning" - who doesn't yearn to shout out those famous words of King Lear's every so often? And they might very well be true. But does that truly excuse the sinning? I adore the ambiguous world of Shakespeare, and King Lear has it all. There is action, drama, feelings in both the wrong and right places, politics, and common sense in unexpected situations. The long diatribe on man's blaming the stars for his viciousness is one of my absolute favorites.

King Lear is as good as Shakespeare can be!

“This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune,--often the surfeit of our own behavior,--we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars: as if we were villains by necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves, and trachers, by spherical predominance; drunkards, liars, and adulterers, by an enforced obedience of planetary influence; and all that we are evil in, by a divine thrusting on: an admirable evasion of whoremaster man, to lay his goatish disposition to the charge of a star.”

There is tragedy, and then there is TRAGEDY. This particular one leaves very little room for warm, happy feelings, that's for certain!

Despite that, I absolutely loved it and would highly recommend it to anyone.

This isn't going to be a traditional good review because I'm at a loss for words. I adore the almost nihilistic aspect of it. I love how it plunges directly into the action from the start. I'm fond of the fact that most of the characters are extreme, and the development of Lear's character is truly remarkable. I love the devotion shown by some, the manipulations that occur, the sacrifices made, the injustice that prevails, the madness that ensues, and the grief and sorrow that are palpable. I love that this play is about loss - the loss of love, of status, of power, and even of sight. Thinking about it, I could have done without that last one; it was rather brutal.

Nevertheless, it was brilliant. This is my second Shakespeare play, and I'm so glad I've read it. You should read it too! (And if you've already read it, it might be time for another one!)

When we come into the world, we cry because we have entered this great stage of the show of fools.

Life is like a complex drama, and we are all actors in it. Some play the role of the wise, while others seem to be the fools.

But who can really define what is wise and what is foolish? Maybe it's just a matter of perspective.

Sometimes, those who are considered fools may have a purity and simplicity of heart that the so-called wise lack.

And perhaps the wise, in their pursuit of knowledge and understanding, have lost touch with the true essence of life.

In this vast world, we should not be too quick to judge others as fools or wise. Instead, we should try to understand and appreciate the unique qualities and perspectives that each person brings.

After all, it is in this diversity that the beauty and richness of life truly lie.

So, the next time you look at someone and think they are a fool, take a moment to look deeper and you might just discover something unexpected and wonderful.

4.5/5

King Lear has received a lot of criticism from Goodreaders. Many have given it a low rating, calling it boring, predictable, and lacking in moral lessons. Some even find the idea that these people have the right to vote and procreate frightening. However, it's important to note that the play itself is a great achievement of Western culture, and some people, like the author, consider it their favorite Shakespeare play.

The Norton Critical Edition version (2007) has also been the subject of criticism. Some readers found the false identity business confusing and gave them a headache. Others struggled to understand the play due to the archaic language and strange illustrations. The complex and sluggish storyline also made it a difficult read for some.

Despite the criticism, King Lear has its fans. Some appreciate the dark and moody atmosphere, while others enjoy the famous lines and good dialogue. However, it's not for everyone, especially those who prefer a light and entertaining read. Overall, King Lear is a polarizing play that will continue to be debated and discussed for years to come.

I've read Lear on numerous occasions. This time around, although I didn't glean a vast amount of new knowledge about the play itself, I did gain some valuable insights into myself. I have always held a deep affection for this play. However, in the past, I was often overwhelmed by the blatant injustice and evil it portrays. The victims seemed pathetically innocent, and the overall perspective of the play appeared to verge on nihilism.

But now, as I look at it anew, I see goodness and grace prevailing everywhere. There is Cordelia's plain-spoken honesty and her unwavering love for Lear. Kent and Gloster's loyalty shines through brightly. Edgar's rather bizarre attempt to heal his father's soul through a clever stratagem is also a testament to the presence of goodness. And perhaps most significantly, Lear himself undergoes a remarkable transformation. Even as he descends further into grief and madness, he grows in understanding and compassion.

It's not all about the good guys, though. The bad guys also have their moments. There is Oswald's unwavering devotion to Goneril. Edmund makes a tardy but seemingly sincere attempt to save Cordelia and Lear's lives. And my personal favorite is the heroic effort of Cornwall's servant. Despite having served his vicious master loyally all his life, he intervenes in the blinding of Gloster by wounding his master.

In this play, goodness seems to triumph even in the face of great loss. I no longer feel that the evil is insurmountable. Instead, I simply bow my head in gratitude for the presence of goodness and tremble in awe before the mystery of life.

Αλίμονο σ' εκείνον που μετάνιωνει οταν είναι πια αργά. This simple yet profound statement holds a great deal of truth. Regretting something when it is already too late is a common human experience. We often find ourselves in situations where we wish we had made different choices or taken different actions. But once the opportunity has passed, it is gone forever.

It is important to learn from our mistakes and not let them define us. Instead of dwelling on the past, we should focus on the present and look for ways to make positive changes in our lives. We should also be more mindful of our actions and decisions, and try to anticipate the consequences before we act.

In conclusion, while it is natural to feel regret at times, we should not let it consume us. We should use it as a motivation to become better people and to make the most of the opportunities that come our way.

Showcase of Madness!

Shakespeare says in a showcase that is full of judgments, full of loyalties yet also betrayals, full of trusts yet also doubts and uncertainties, full of ambitions, full of voids, of unfilial children and bodies, full of anger, bloodshed, madness and finally it all ends with their madness.

This book, with the translation of Javad Peyman, was published in its sixth edition by Ameli and Cultural Publications in 1979, in 296 pages.

Of course, the translator has dedicated 85 pages to the preface.

Shakespeare's King Lear is the most tragic tragedy. Shakespeare wrote the play King Lear in 1606.

Bradley, a Shakespeare scholar and a great English writer, said about this masterpiece: "King Lear has always been recognized as Shakespeare's greatest work. A work in which Shakespeare's most important dramatic abilities flourish. And if at some point we are forced to set aside all of Shakespeare's plays and look at only one of them, the majority of those who know Shakespeare deeply and respect him deeply will choose King Lear as his best play."

King Lear is a complex and profound work that explores themes such as power, loyalty, love, and madness. It tells the story of an aging king who divides his kingdom among his three daughters, only to face betrayal and heartbreak. The play is filled with powerful characters and intense emotions, making it a truly unforgettable experience for audiences.

Shakespeare's use of language in King Lear is also remarkable. His poetry and dialogue are rich and vivid, bringing the characters and the story to life. The play is a masterpiece of English literature and continues to be studied and performed around the world today.

3.75 Stars *:･ﾟ✧

"When we are born we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools."
━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━

Yeah, it's a banger. What's new? It's far from my favourite Shakespeare play. However, I find the explorations of parent/child dynamics extremely compelling. In this play, there isn't much homoeroticism between women, which is a bit heartbreaking. Also, I feel that the historical plays often go over my head to some extent. There is definitely some strong political commentary here. But personally, I am more partial to the intricacies of interpersonal dynamics rather than international ones. For example, that's why I think I lean more towards plays like A Midsummer Night's Dream, which has more whimsy. Overall, King Lear is quite a memorable play. I watched the Digital Theatre play recording while reading it, and the actors were just phenomenal. They really brought the play to life. Especially the actors who played Cordelia, Lear, and Edmund. Overall, I enjoyed it.

━━━━━━━━━━━ ♡ ━━━━━━━━━━

I, too, want to gouge my eyes out.

This might seem like an extreme and perhaps even shocking statement at first glance. But there are times when the world around us can be so overwhelming, so filled with pain, suffering, and injustice that it feels as if the only way to escape is to rid ourselves of the ability to see it.

We witness the horrors of war, the cruelty of humanity towards one another, and the destruction of our planet. We see the lies and deceptions that are so prevalent in society, and it can make us feel disillusioned and绝望.

However, as extreme as this desire may be, we must also remember that there is still beauty and hope in the world. There are acts of kindness, love, and compassion that can restore our faith in humanity. We must learn to look beyond the darkness and focus on the light.

So, while I may have moments when I want to gouge my eyes out, I also know that I cannot give up. I must continue to fight for a better world, a world where there is peace, justice, and equality for all.

Shakespeare's masterpiece King Lear has always been one of my favorites.

I have read it several times over the years, and each time it is just as amazing as the first.

I have a great passion for family drama, and this play truly delivers.

The characters in the play are some of the most outstanding in literature. They are complex, multi-dimensional, and full of life.

To me, it is one of the easiest of Shakespeare's plays to read, perhaps because of the engaging story and relatable characters.

The play is very well constructed, with a clear narrative arc and powerful themes.

It is no wonder that most people consider this to be one of his best works.

King Lear explores the themes of power, greed, loyalty, and betrayal, and does so in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally engaging.

It is a play that has stood the test of time and continues to be relevant today.

Whether you are a Shakespeare enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys a good story, King Lear is definitely worth reading.

YouTube kanalımda Shakespeare'in hayatı, mutlaka okunması gereken kitapları ve kronolojik okuma sırası hakkında bilgi edinebilirsiniz: https://youtu.be/rGxh2RVjmNU

Daha önceden buraya iyisiyle kötüsüyle yüzlerce inceleme bırakmışım fakat bu incelemede önceden hiç yapmadığım şekilde Kral Lear'ı, sinemadaki harika uyarlaması olan Kurosawa'nın Ran filmiyle birlikte karşılaştırmalı olarak inceleyeceğim.

Tanıyanlar tanır, 26 yaşında Citizen Kane filmini yöneterek harika bir işe imza atmış olan yönetmen Orson Welles, Kurosawa için "Shakespeare'e dokunmaya hakkı olan tek adam" demiş. Haklı da Welles. Kurosawa'nın filmlerinin ana temasının "İnsanlar göründükleri gibi değildir" cümlesinde saklı olduğunu anlamak gerek. Çünkü Shakespeare'in oyunlarında da "insanlar göründükleri gibi değildir". Benim fikrimi soracak olursanız da insan olmak, iç görünüş ile dış görünüş arasındaki mesafeyi azaltma sanatıdır.

Bir İngiliz oyununun bir Japon coğrafyası eşliğinde kendisine sinemada yer bulması kulağa ilk bakışta çok absürt geliyor. Hem Shakespeare'in oyunundaki Kral Lear'ın çocukları kız iken, Japonya'daki feodallikten dolayı Kurosawa'nın filmindeki hükümdarın çocukları erkek mesela. Sırf bu bile erkek-kadın bakış açıları arasında bir denge kurulmasını gerektirirken Kurosawa'nın gerçekliği ele alış biçimiyle zaten kendisine saygı uyandıran bir yapıt olduğunu hiç sinema tarihine hakim olmayan biri olsak bile hemencecik anlıyoruz.

Her ne kadar Shakespeare, Kurosawa'nın bu filmi yapmasından 370 yıl kadar önce ölmüş olsa da, insan, her zaman insandır. İnsan, hırslarıyla, ihtiraslarıyla, yanılgılarıyla, çelişkileriyle ve bitmek bilmeyen her türlü konudaki evrimiyle insandır. Shakespeare'in de Kurosawa'nın da buluştuğu ortak küme insanlık kümesidir zaten. Rashomon filminde herkesin yalanının ve gerçeklik algılarının değişebileceğini farklı bakış açılarından sunan, Yedi Samuray filminde savunma sanatını, samuraylığı ve çekim tekniklerini dibine kadar işleyen, Ikiru filminde ise dış görünüşünden umudunu kaybetmiş gibi görünen bir adamın iç dünyasında ikinci bir baharı yaşamasını anlatan Kurosawa, Kral Lear kitabının uyarlama filmi olan Ran'da ise aynı Shakespeare gibi artık önüne geçilemeyecek bir çöküşü anlatıyor bize.

Hem... Toplumlar ve devletler çöker de insan çökmez mi sence? Bence en büyük çöküş, insanın içindeki imparatorlukların çöküşüdür. Beyin ile kalbin arasındaki otobanlar arasında taşınan düşünceler ve hislerin de kendilerine özgü çöküş hikayeleri vardır. Bu çöküşlerin en büyük sebebi de hırstır, insanoğlunun yanılgıya düşüp de şeytana kandığı o ilk andan beri, hırstır.

Hırs ne yaptırmaz ki insana? İnsanları kral olarak görmek ister, kralları ilah olarak. Anlık bir kıvılcım gibi her şeyi bilmek ister, her şeye sahip olmak ister. Sanayi Devrimi'nin sonrasında daha çok açığa çıkar asıl hırsın bedeni. Öncesinde sadece bir silüet gibi insanların iç dünyalarında yer edinmiş olsa da devamında hırs her mekana, her deliğe ve her boşluğa yerleşmiştir. Dünyanın bir diğer adı hırs gezegeni olmuştur.

Aslında çok kolay görünür bize sadakat, intikam, hırs, aile içi ilişkiler, erdemlilik gibi konular, çünkü hepimizin hayatında bunlar az ya da çok şekilde vardır. Fakat bunları karakterlerin iç dünyalarında bir duygu ekolayzeri gibi anlatabiliyor olmak hem Shakespeare'e hem de Kurosawa'ya çok yakışmıştır. Bazen hiç beklemediğiniz ve hiç umut beslemediğiniz insan size en çok sadık olandır. Bazen de çok beklentinizin olduğu, yerlere göklere sığdıramadığınız insanlar sizi en çok üzen insanlar olur... Dünyanın dengesi böyledir işte.

Bununla birlikte keşke Shakespeare ile Kurosawa arasında yaklaşık 400 yıl olmasaydı da bir masada Kurosawa, Kral Lear kitabı hakkında ve Shakespeare de Ran filmi hakkında görüşlerini söyleyebilseydi. Shakespeare'in hayatında 1 tane film izleyememiş olması ve kitapları üzerine kendisinden sonra icra edilen tiyatrolar, inceleme metinleri, filmler ve daha nice ürün onun bize ne kadar değerli olduğunu yeterli olarak anlatır nitelikte zaten.

İyi seçimler yaparsak iyi bir kaderimiz olur, kötü seçimler yaparsak da kötü bir kaderimiz olur. Kral Lear'ın seçimleri kötüydü, kötü bir kaderi oldu. Kötü çöktü, toparlanamadı, her yönden dağıldı. Ama biz de böyle hissetmiyor muyuz bazen? Bizim de Lear gibi bir imparatorluğumuz olmayabilir fakat içimizdeki düşünce imparatorluklarının çöküşleri ne kadar da hislerimizle paralel olarak gerçekleşiyor. Umut beslediğimiz insanlar bizi ne kadar da hayal kırıklığına uğratabiliyor. İşte, Shakespeare ve Kurosawa'nın da aslında meselesi budur zaten. İnsanın boş iktidar hırsları ve intikam elde etme istekleri sonucunda ona hayal kırıklığı ve çöküşten başka bir şey gelmeyecek olması...

Sadece filmin sonu için çok küçük bir spoiler veriyorum, filmi izlememiş olanlar altta yazdığımı okumasın.

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Filmin sonunda muhteşem bir manzaranın eşliğindeki bir dağın kenarında kitaptaki gözleri oyulmuş Gloucester karakterini karşılayan adamın elinden Tanrı'nın sembolü olan Buda kağıdı düşüyor. Böyle bir sahne kitapta yok, bu tamamen Kurosawa'nın eklemesi. Bu da belki insanoğlunun dinine karşı umudunu kaybettiği, dininin etrafında olan çöküşler karşısında bir çözüm getirmediği ve bu yüzden de REM'in Losing My Religion şarkısındaki gibi bir dinsel çöküş şeklinde de yorumlanabilir.