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Synopsis King Lear is one of the most difficult plays of Shakespeare. It takes ordinary jealousies, demand for love, sibling rivalries, desire for money and power, and petty cruelties to the extreme on one hand and portrays old age in all its vulnerability, helplessness, pride and wisdom on the other. The present study aims at making it more accessible to the serious student of Shakespeare. Besides providing the socio-political background of Shakespeare's milieu, it gives a scenewise summary of the text, along with critical comments. It has numerous citations from the text, thus providing ample opportunity for the reader to become familiar with the text. The analyses of the different elements of drama are accompanied with the views of renowned critics. Classical theories of tragedy as well as Elizabethan connections have been lucidly and briefly explained. A select bibliography has been provided at the end. The book is highly readable, self-contained and comprehensive. It will undoubtedly prove an invaluable reference book for both students and teachers of English literature.