King Lear
King Lear, written around 1605 and 1606, is generally reckoned the darkest of Shakespeare's tragedies. An old king divides his kingdom between the two daughters who flatter him and disinherits the one who will not, and the play follows him out of his palaces onto the heath, into a storm and into madness, in the company of a Fool and a disguised courtier, while his daughters and their husbands tear the country apart. A second plot gives the Earl of Gloucester a loyal son and a treacherous bastard, and the two old men meet at Dover, one blind and one mad. The ending so troubled readers that for a century and a half the stage played a happy one instead. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first act free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about King Lear
King Lear by William Shakespeare can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read King Lear online?
Yes. King Lear opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is King Lear free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of King Lear is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is King Lear in the public domain?
Yes. King Lear by William Shakespeare is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read King Lear?
About 1 h 51 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is King Lear?
King Lear by William Shakespeare is filed under "Drama" in the Vinteuil library.
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