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King Lear (Revised) | William Shakespeare

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This play is absolutely jam packed with story. Every act feels like a play of its own. There is a lot to follow and many characters to hate. In the end, I think it speaks volumes about how amazing a writer Shakespeare is that he managed to create a character that I absolutely hated - Lear - in the beginning, but by the end he had me feeling sorry for the old man. It‘s an intense read, but well worth the effort.
#shakespearereadalong #Shakespeare

GingerAntics #KingLear It‘s taken me a good week to figure out how to review this thing. In the end, this is what I came up with. (edited) 5y

TheBookHippie This was so worth it!!! What a work out we had!!! 5y

TheBookHippie When do we start again? January?🤣👏🏼👏🏼❤️📖 5y

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GingerAntics @TheBookHippie it was one heck of a mental workout, alright! Yeah, we‘ll start again after the holidays. 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics yay!!!! I miss reading it! 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie not a fan of King Lear? 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I am it‘s so much like the current political scene! I miss daily Shakespeare 📖 Reading. 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie that‘s one of the things I didn‘t like about it. Politics is everywhere, I like having an escape from the madness. 5y

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King Lear (Revised) | William Shakespeare

And now they‘re all dead. Lear has gone from someone we all hate to someone we feel bad for. His downfall and spiral into total madness is complete.
This play is stuffed full of events. I‘m exhausted just thinking about it.
Any finishing thoughts?
#Shakespeare #MerryWivesofWindsor #shakespearereadalong

GingerAntics @wanderinglynn @BiblioLitten @oOArankaOo @TheBookHippie @Wife @saresmoore @DGRachel @Anna40 @readordierachel @Bookishgal71 @kathedron @Susannah @RestlessFickleBookHoarder @IndoorDame @cocomass @InLibrisVeritas @Gezemice 5y

GingerAntics @Mtroiano @KatieanneF @rabbitprincess @rjsthumbelina @CoffeeNBooks @Graywacke @Rachbb3 @batsy @Lcsmcat @zsuzsanna_reads @Balibee146 @Faibka @Riveted_Reader_Melissa @Jess_Read_This @wordzie @ladyneverwhere @jewright @NeedsMoreBooks 5y

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Lcsmcat https://betterlivingthroughbeowulf.com/will-trump-like-lear-take-us-all-down/ Robin Bates, on his blog Better Living Through Beowulf, has several posts comparing Lear and Trump. The link above is to one where the loyal Republicans are Regan and Goneril, and James Comey stands in for Cordelia. It‘s not an exact parallel, but it works. 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics I also found myself wondering why I suddenly felt so bad for old man. 5y

Graywacke This is a big busy play and I think there are a ton of things to think about in it. I got caught up in some comments in the bibliography section on my edition (Folgers Shakespeare Library). The work summarized is: Susan Snyder “King Lear and the Psychology of Dying.” Shakespeare Quarterly 33 (1982): 449–60. (edited) 5y

Graywacke Quote 1: “Structuring her analysis of the play around the tenets of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross‘s influential Death and Dying (1969), which outlined five stages in the dying process—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—Snyder locates naturalistic and symbolic correspondences to these stages in Lear‘s and Gloucester‘s loss of power (“ which is . . . what dying is about”)” 5y

Graywacke Quote 2: ‘ Snyder concludes that “our pleasure in tragedy [may be] owing in part to its power of bringing together what in our psyches simply coexist unrelated, these two reactions of recognition and resistance—bringing them together, not in resolution . . . but in energizing interaction.” ‘ 5y

Graywacke Any thoughts on that? 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke aren‘t those the five stages of grief? I guess I‘d want to see her examples of these five stages within the play to see if I agreed with her. 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke I would say yes to her second quote, at least for this play. I may even go as far as to say for most tragedies, yes. I do know at least one tragedy I like that is not for this reason, and quite frankly, I haven‘t read that many tragedies. I‘ve really only read Shakespearean tragedies. 5y

merelybookish @Graywacke I like that second quote too. And it's interesting to think about aging. Our desire to distance and dismiss the aged at the same time they raise deep fears, sadness, and sympathy in us. I enjoyed this last Act which felt a bit less action-packed and made a bit more space for reflection. Although I forgot Cordelia died too...a whole dynasty wiped out...Not sure what the poetic Justice was there. 5y

GingerAntics @merelybookish as a society, we really have to start treating older people better. That seems consistent throughout social classes, into politics; we just don‘t treat our elderly well at all, which is really shameful. 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics yes - the five stages of grief. 5y

Graywacke @merelybookish interesting parallel, with aging! 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics regarding the examples, I don‘t have Snyders, but I feel like can come up with my own examples on how Lear acts after he gives away his crown - denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance. If you buy it, than giving away his a crown was his attempt to accept death - but it didn‘t work. He still had to go through the torment of the emotional cycle near-end mortality - except in his case with tragic consequences. 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics my own parallel to pattern: denial (acts like he's still king)-anger (well...) - bargaining (for his 100 soldiers)-depression (alone in a storm,insanity)-acceptance (calls himself a fool to Cordellia). 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke from that stand point, I can see the argument for the grief cycle in this play. Okay. I‘m game for this. 5y

batsy @Graywacke That's an interesting reading & I'm going to try to seek out that Snyder essay. Freud in his essay The Theme of the Three Caskets refers a lot to myth and fairytale and the symbol of the third unique daughter, and also makes a case about how muteness reflects a kind of death when it shows up in the unconscious mind (in dreams). So for Freud Cordelia is Death and Lear's journey is about death, which ties with that essay you mention. 5y

GingerAntics @batsy that‘s interesting. I wonder when the Snyder essay was written and if it cites the Freud essay? I never really put much stock in Freud. He was a bit of a quack freak. 5y

batsy @GingerAntics I have some issues with Freud myself but I do find him an interesting thinker in some aspects. That's probably why I prefer him as literary critic; I don't know if he's done much of it, but when he sticks to texts I like how he digs around for the subconscious themes at work (like myths, folklore, fairy tales). 5y

Graywacke @batsy interesting (and interesting about Freud as a literary critic). His idea puts a twist the warm Cordellia/Lear scene in act 4. 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke @batsy yes, his interpretation really changes those class scene between Lear and Cordelia. 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics quack freak! Exactly although I enjoy reading the antics what does that say about me 🤷🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🙄 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie hey, sometimes people‘s antics are just really entertaining!!! 5y

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batsy

King Lear | William Shakespeare

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"All's cheerless, dark & deadly"—I feel ya, Kent.

I think I say this for every play, but this is one that's relevant for our times. I'm not sure how to review or do justice to this wild, uncontrollable play about power, love, honour, death, & madness. I feel like I walked very carefully to peer over the edge of the cliff & the next thing I know, Shakespeare gave me a shove. What can I say? I'm here for it. 5 ⭐

#ShakespeareReadAlong @GingerAntics

JennyM That is a perfect set-up there! Book, cake and coffee 👌 5y

Graywacke Guess you need a hang glider or something else when the bard is around. Not sure how to review this either. (The coffee and cake look delicious. ) 5y

batsy @JennyM @Graywacke It was delicious and a lovely way to soothe oneself after the bleakness of Lear 🙂 5y

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youneverarrived This photo 😍 5y

batsy @youneverarrived ❤️ 5y

Jee_HookedOnBookz @batsy wanna be penpals at #litsylove? 😊 5y

batsy @Jee_HookedOnBookz I'd love to connect! Pls feel free to drop me a line at subashini.navaratnam@gmail.com ☺️ 5y

Jee_HookedOnBookz @batsy oki doki and thank you! Shall I call you batsy or subashini? 5y

batsy @Jee_HookedOnBookz Yup, Subashini. batsy is my handle :) Do you go by Jee? 5y

Jee_HookedOnBookz @batsy yes! 😊 5y

LeahBergen What a tasty pic! 5y

Simona 😋🤤Looks perfect❣️ 5y

Tanisha_A 😍 Perfect! 5y

Blaire So pretty! 5y

batsy @LeahBergen @Simona @Tanisha_A @Blaire ❤️❤️ 5y

merelybookish Perfect quote! 🖤 5y

readordierachel Love this review ❤😆 5y

batsy @merelybookish @readordierachel Thank you 😁💜 5y

Cathythoughts Brilliant review.... just brilliant 👍🏻❤️ 5y

batsy @Cathythoughts You're too kind Cathy, thank you ♥️ 5y

BiblioLitten 🤩 The review! 5y

batsy @BiblioLitten 😘 5y

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King Lear | William Shakespeare

so-so

While the writing & characters & all the mishegas are particularly notable in this one, I admit it‘s not one I totally enjoyed. I mean, Lear is just a sad, narcissistic old douche, for one thing. And almost everyone around him is trash, too. Which is fine but makes it a little difficult b/c you have no one to root for. Plus, TBH I felt a bit lost at times; the plot was just a little too much. But it‘s still Shakespeare! So still worth it! 3/5 ⭐️

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King Lear | William Shakespeare

So white, and such a traitor?

#ShakespeareOnTrump 😬

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Graywacke

King Lear | William Shakespeare

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Well, I made it through to the end. Must be the longest, busiest of his plays I‘ve read. Lear gets a rough bloody lesson in humility amongst rages, tantrums, dark humored fools, outright craziness, squashed eyeballs and some pretty awesome and ruthless politics. What to make of it all? I probably should start by reading it again... ☺️

#shakespearereadalong
@GingerAntics

batsy Squashed eyeballs! 🙈 I just finished too... I'm mulling over how to express what it felt like reading this play and I think it's futile 😅 5y

merelybookish Busiest play indeed! Still one more act for me to go! 5y

GingerAntics You‘re spot on with this, in every way! 5y

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Graywacke @batsy yeah, for me it becomes how to capture the futility of expressing that. There was just so much stuff is going on...😣😟 5y

Graywacke @merelybookish a little exhausting, no? I think my 🧠 needed to get to the end yesterday. 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics 🙂 A couple days of processing will help me. I read an interesting comment in my bibliography about how this play parallels the five emotional steps we face when we have a terminal illness. I‘ll post it Sunday (if possible, I‘ll be traveling) 5y

GingerAntics Oh, that sounds really interesting. I think I‘m going to have to explore the extra information in my edition, as well. 5y

Lcsmcat @Graywacke If you‘re unable to post it Sunday, can you do it when you return? 5y

Graywacke @Lcsmcat I will. I don‘t want to put it here, as it has me thinking a lot and I want to hear other readalongers‘ thoughts - hoping there are sum. 5y

Graywacke @Lcsmcat PS - if you‘re comfortable with contact outside Litsy, find me on LibraryThing (dchaikin) or Goodreads (daniel chaikin). 5y

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King Lear | William Shakespeare

O sir, to willful men
The injuries that they themselves procure
Must be their schoolmasters.

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King Lear | William Shakespeare

Striving to better, oft we mar what‘s well.

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batsy

King Lear | William Shakespeare

My current read features one of the most frustrating papas in literature. Setting up his daughters to commodify love, then feeling wronged when two of them are unable to realise value beyond ambition and self-obsession. But somehow, as we near to the end of the play, Shakespeare manages to make me feel for him, as well.

#papadontpreach #MOvember @Cinfhen

Cinfhen Well played 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 5y

GingerAntics It‘s the power of Shakespeare, isn‘t it? I hate him at the beginning and feel for him by the end...still hate him, too. 5y

merelybookish Nice!! 👴 5y

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Cathythoughts Inspired!! Loved this 👍🏻❤️ 5y

batsy @GingerAntics LOL yes! I can't understand feeling so bad for a character I still hate... Thanks, Will 🙃 5y

batsy @Cinfhen @merelybookish @Cathythoughts Thanks! Love it when daily prompt & current read coincide 😁 5y

GingerAntics Only Will. 5y

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King Lear (Revised) | William Shakespeare

These are the beautiful white cliffs of Dover. This scene stands out to me particularly, possibly from the movie adaptation, but going back and reading it this week made it pop out again. The love and devotion that is shown in the scene at the cliffs feels like such a contrast to the rest of the play. Everywhere else it seems everyone is focused solely on getting what they feel is owed to them. #Shakespeare #KingLear #shakespearereadalong

Religion and the Decline of Magic: Studies in Popular Beliefs in Sixteenth and Seventeenth-Century England

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Lcsmcat Edgar and Cordelia show to advantage in this act. They justify our faith in them. 5y

CoffeeNBooks @Lcsmcat I definitely agree with that about Edgar and Cordelia! I found it interesting that Goneril and Regan turned on each other in this act. 5y

Lcsmcat @CoffeeNBooks Shakespeare is so good with human nature, isn‘t he? If they‘ll turn against their father, they‘ll turn against each other, their husband . . . 5y

GingerAntics @Lcsmcat @CoffeeNBooks those two really come out as the “good guys” in this act. 5y

Graywacke I was thinking, with Cordelia as Lear wakes up, how nice to have a peaceful pleasant scene in here for a bit, with some warmth. 5y

Graywacke Nice image. So, every act has felt like an entire play so far. This time, act 4, scene 6 did by itself. Glouchester and son on disguise, and then son in different disguise, then Lear raving, then gentlemen looking for Lear, then Oswald stumbles and there‘s a duel, then Goneril‘s letter to Edmund is read showing a twist on the previous couple scenes, then Edgar learns all...that is a lot, no? Wonder how long a typical performance is? 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke scene 6 was a lot. I‘ll agree with the assessment that scene 6 feels like an entire play on its own. So much happens in this play. Performing this play must be insanity intense and exhausting. It was nice to see some more peaceful moments for once in this play. 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics I can‘t imagine playing anyone in this play but what a wonderful challenge! I‘d love to see it live! 5y

TheBookHippie Isn‘t that a beautiful view!!!! It‘s like a little breather! I love how your own crazy family can seem normal ... Cordelia and Edgar seem just and then it‘s like a real life soap opera (showing my age..are there soaps anymore?!🤣) I think this entire play is like several in one. So many layers. ..a reread to get at it most sections has happened to me so far!! 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie the view is great! It seems they actually went to Dover in the film version, I think. I‘ll have to double check when I watch again. I think they do still have soaps. lol This play has so much going on, I wonder sometimes if it‘s possible to see all the layers and all the details. 5y

batsy Gorgeous pic & so true about the effect of Cordelia & Edgar. That they put others ahead of themselves! "'Tis the times' plague, when madmen lead the blind" seems to be ever relevant. In full agreement about the complexity of this play. I'm exhausted after each act! Kent bringing up the stars governing our conditions seems to be a theme ... Early modern attempts to understand the formation of vastly different characters within the same family. 5y

GingerAntics @batsy it is exhausting...the theme of the stars controlling personality as an early modern attempt to understand vastly different personalities in a single family makes sense. I hadn‘t put that together. 5y

Graywacke @batsy @GingerAntics has me thinking of

batsy @Graywacke Oooh! Thank you for that, exactly the kind of book I want to read. 880 page count won't deter me 🤓 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke that‘s going on my wish list, too. Thanks for that! 5y

Graywacke @batsy @GingerAntics it‘s long, slow, and absolutely fascinating...and brilliant, imho 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke it sounds right up my alley, though. 5y

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Lcsmcat

King Lear | William Shakespeare

Out of the mouth of the “mad” comes the truthes power doesn‘t want to hear. #shakespearereadalong @GingerAntics

GingerAntics The collection of mad men in this play do seem to get the best, most truthful lines. 5y

Graywacke What a rant, the whole of it! 5y

Lcsmcat @Graywacke Isn‘t it? Lear would be a fun role to play! 5y

Graywacke @Lcsmcat oh, that would be good fun. 5y

batsy Don't know what Shakespeare was tapping into there for inspiration but I love it. Lear's "mad" monologues are next level. 5y

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King Lear (Revised) | William Shakespeare

Lear gets mad at the two daughters he‘s acknowledging at the moment and storms out...right into a storm. This seems to be a moment artists love to depict. It was hard to pick which one to use for the post.
#Shakespeare #KingLear #shakespearereadalong

GingerAntics @Trashcanman 5y

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Graywacke Cute picture 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke 🤣😂🤣 he seemed madder in this one to me, because it looks kind of like he‘s stretching and getting comfortable. In others he‘s kind of stumbling around. 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics reminds me of somebody 🧐 5y

TheBookHippie I highly recommend reading news or Twitter then reading our section 🤪. I‘m intrigued by the back story of this -who Lear is after IRL-going to dig into that this week. The Pride cometh before the fall keeps running in my mind..egos pride OYE blindness and then actual blindness such an interesting thing for me to regurgitate in this section. Naive and blind are used interchangeably in life —no more so than this section of reading. Yikes. 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I know! I just can‘t seem to put my finger on who!!! 🧐 The parallels are frightening. I could see him dividing his estate among his children the same way as Lear. I wish he‘d “abdicate this thrown” already. 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie I end up doing that without trying. It is amazing how much of it applies. We‘ve certainly seen the pride (in both this and IRL). I can‘t wait for the fall (in the okay and IRL). 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics he‘s not leaving with out an escort IRL 🤪. Lear is fascinating I‘d love to see this on stage. Wouldn‘t it be lovely if it was soon for abdication ...one can dream . And take his tribe and the VP with him 😩 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie lol that would be awesome! I maintain even if he‘s voted out or he‘s reached the term limit, he‘ll have to be dragged out kicking and screaming. Ugh. 5y

Graywacke @TheBookHippie @GingerAntics would make this a slightly better world. Wish we could abdicate all the racism and xenophobia and other issues too, IRL. 5y

Graywacke So, I‘m reading this wrong. I‘m reading it like every other play, taking in an act in a sitting. There is just too much going on here. I should slow down, pace through, appreciate the full extent of the tapestry. I will do that next time I read this. Anyone else have this kind of problem? 5y

Graywacke As for the act, it‘s rich in many ways, but also with a lot of weird zany parts. Legit Ed acting crazy while Lear actually goes crazy, plus a fool, is just a lot of craziness. And I‘m not getting the humor in the songs, rhymes and fairy tales. But I liked it, and was somehow fascinated by the eye gouging. (edited) 5y

jewright @Graywacke The eye gouging was intense. He steps on it afterwards which makes it so much worse. 🤢🤮 5y

jewright The storm imagery reminded me of the storm in Julius Caesar. 5y

Graywacke @jewright would be great fun to perform on stage...no really...mmm...😁 5y

jewright @Graywacke Olives? Most of the violence is usually off stage, so I feel like this is kind of a lot for Shakespeare to show. I‘m thinking of how the swallowing coals and what not is just reported nor shown. 5y

Graywacke @jewright are they big enough? Could stuff with pomegranate seeds... 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke it‘s a lot to take in. I was doing it that way, too. I ended up watching the movie version and that really helped. 5y

GingerAntics @jewright @Graywacke there went my ability to eat pomegranates. 🤣😂🤣 They did the eye gouging in the movie, but then there were two guards holding him down on either side so you never really saw it, even though you thought you did. I‘m guessing it would have to be that way on stage. As for what actually gets stepped on, most of the audience wouldn‘t see it clearly anyway, so it could just be a little pod of stage blood or something. 5y

GingerAntics @jewright the eye gouging scene was a really intense scene. It was hard to read, but even harder to watch, even knowing it wasn‘t real. I think our eyes are just so sensitive we just feel it in a way. It would be interesting to see how it was handled on stage. 5y

batsy After Lear's curse on his daughters in Act 2 ("you unnatural hags", etc.) I felt bad for them, but in this act those two were chilling. I felt like Act 3 finally put it together for me that none of these people can be defended or justified, except maybe poor Edgar. Even the Fool seems to have absorbed all of the anxiety; whatever he has to point out is pretty obvious (to us, a modern audience) to the point of being painful (like reading the news!) 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke @TheBookHippie it would be wonderful for everyone to get rid of racism and xenophobia...we‘ll accept for the racists and xenophobics. Maybe they could have their own little racist, xenophobic country all on their own and then we don‘t have to listen to them anymore! Although, I read something that said in 50-100 years countries aren‘t going to really matter anymore. Everything is going to be divided by religion as opposed to nation. 5y

batsy @Graywacke After Act 1 I had to space out my reading or I knew so much of it was going to go over my head. So I try to do a few pages of each act every day to space out my reading for the week, and it seems to work better for me. 5y

GingerAntics @batsy I noticed that, too. For the first two acts we feel bad for the daughters, and maybe we‘re supposed to, but then we see this different side of them and we realise there really isn‘t much to like about most of the characters. 5y

GingerAntics @batsy @Graywacke I used to read them that way. I don‘t know when or why I stopped and started doing everything in one go. I may have to return to that. 5y

batsy @GingerAntics I think it depends on the play. For Lear, the spaced out reading works. For certain comedies, maybe, the reading in one go thing might work better. 5y

TheBookHippie @Graywacke me too!!! This one is fascinating. It has so many layers. 5y

TheBookHippie @batsy I read it this way now too. Seems to work better for me. 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics ship them all somewhere it does give one pause I hate leaving a world like this for my grandson ! 5y

GingerAntics @batsy that‘s true. With some of the plays I just want to know what happens next so bad. With this one, I‘m trying to figure out everything that just happened and how it ties to everything before it. 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie it‘s hard to think this is the world we‘re leaving for children. It‘s almost harder to fathom that some people are happy about that. 5y

jewright @TheBookHippie I just try to remind myself I‘m making a difference with my kids and my students. Yes, some people are still prejudiced, but I also see a lot of love and acceptance from the kids I‘m around too. 5y

jewright @Graywacke Well, guess my kids are going to have to finish the pomegranate seeds in my fridge now... 5y

TheBookHippie @jewright I do with my students as well. They are my hope for sure! 5y

Graywacke @jewright 🤣 but they‘re so good... 5y

GingerAntics @jewright @TheBookHippie kids are amazingly loving and accepting. Prejudice is absolutely a learned behaviour and anything we can do to keep kids from learning that lesson I‘m down for. 5y

Jess_Read_This I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for always tagging me and still including me on the Shakespeare readalongs. I‘m sorry I had to take such an extended absence from Litsy and reading. I‘d like read the next one with the group though! Did you have it picked out? 5y

GingerAntics @Jess_Read_This after King Lear, we‘re taking a break for the holiday season since we read both holiday sections last year, but we‘ll start up again after the new year. I have a play I‘ve been dying to read, though, so I may read that. You could join me if you wanted. 5y

Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics Oh! What play?? 5y

GingerAntics @Jess_Read_This The Comedy of Errors. A friend of mine did it with another online Shakespeare group. She loved it. Apparently it has two sets of twins in it and a rather happy ending. I figured I‘d give it a go. 5y

Jess_Read_This @GingerAntics that‘s actually been a play I have wanted to read. I‘m in! 5y

GingerAntics @Jess_Read_This GREAT!!! 5y

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King Lear (Revised) | William Shakespeare

Lear‘s madness is getting stronger and stronger.
#Shakespeare #KingLear #shakespearereadalong

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GingerAntics #Shakespeare #KingLear #shakespearereadalong 5y

King Lear (Revised) | William Shakespeare

I‘ve been struggling to figure out how these different acts go together. They all seem so independent of each other. I just finished this wonderful adaptation done by BBC and Amazon Prime last year. I definitely get the big picture now. I think I‘m going to have to watch again to pick up more of the nuances. The cast has just about every major British star you can think of apart from David Tennant, but there is another Doctor in there. lol

batsy It's certainly a lot to process and each act continues to feel like its own play! I hope I can find this to watch. It's interesting that the "madness" that the characters experience, or their perception of third world falling apart, is kind of mirrored in the fractured narrative of the play itself. 5y

GingerAntics @batsy it feels less fractured when you watch it. It‘s an amazon original in conjunction with the BBC, so hopefully you‘ll be able to get your hands on it. It seems really well done. Maybe other productions are done in a more disjointed manner the way it seems to read, but this one keeps things a little smoother, and you can definitely tell the two Ed‘s apart. 5y

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GingerAntics I‘m proud to announce my empathy for Illegit Ed ended with this production, @Graywacke. He is definitely out of his bloody mind and not likeable at all. Legit Ed I did feel for which is especially interesting considering he‘s played by Andrew Scott. 5y

batsy Cool! I hope I can find it. (And I meant *their world in my first comment and not third world 😅) 5y

Freespirit This looks good! 5y

Lcsmcat I‘m glad this helped you like the “right” Ed 😂 I don‘t find the play disjointed, although I get your point about how full each act is. There‘s not a “throwaway” act in this one like some of the plays we‘ve read. (It seems like Act 3 is often just transition for Shakespeare.) And I think that‘s one of the reasons Lear is one of the great ones. 5y

GingerAntics @Lcsmcat every act had something important in it. It‘s just so full of story. This one is two hours long and some people are saying it‘s too short. I found another on prime video that‘s almost three hours. That‘s the only real complaint I‘ve seen about this one is that it‘s short. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I think the length helps. It can‘t imagine it any longer than it is. It‘s just mentally exhausting otherwise. 5y

GingerAntics @Lcsmcat I feel for illegit Ed for personal reasons. I don‘t think One is right or wrong. If my father talked about my mother that way in front of me, I‘d want his head, too. In fact, I did. 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie if you have amazon prime video, this was a good production. I think I‘m going to watch it again in the next week to try to take everything in. 5y

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King Lear (Revised) | William Shakespeare

So, Lear continues to go mad, the legit Ed is getting played big time by the illegit Ed, none of Lear‘s daughters want to put up with him, his messenger is napping in the stocks, and the greatest Shakespearean insult of all time appears! Did I miss anything? Another act that feels almost like an entire play.
#Shakespeare #MerryWivesofWindsor #shakespearereadalong

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Lcsmcat Kent is my favorite in this act. He sets himself up so that he can expose Regan‘s behavior. 5y

Graywacke @Lcsmcat wait, he did that on purpose? 5y

GingerAntics @Lcsmcat I‘m high on cold meds right now, so admittedly, I could be a little lost, but I‘m with @Graywacke, I didn‘t think that was on purpose. 5y

Lcsmcat @Graywacke @GingerAntics He jumps straight to (pretty intense) insults, for no action of Oswald‘s, and seems, then hails Lear and immediately implicates Regan and Cornwall. I don‘t think he knew they‘d put him in the stocks, but he was certainly poking the bear. 5y

Graywacke @Lcsmcat It makes sense. I thought he has gone bonkers. Quite a wonderful cascade of insults he pours out. 5y

jewright I love your naming of legit Ed and illigit Ed! My favorite part was definitely when the sisters were arguing about who had to keep their father. They were so fake earlier. 5y

merelybookish I enjoyed Kent's paragraph long attack on Oswald! And I know Regan and Goneril are cruel but Lear is such a clueless big baby. I kind of laughed as they reduced the number of troops he could keep from 50 to 25 to none. He just does not get what happens when you give your kingdom away! 5y

Lcsmcat @Graywacke @merelybookish Those insults are amazing! I always wish I could call some to mind to use on telemarketers or politicians who interrupt dinner time. 😀 5y

TheBookHippie From now on legit and non legit as I‘m reading along!!! I swear the timing of this book! This section seemed like an entire play! The insults!!!! Ha. Saving some ! I hope you feel better @GingerAntics ! 5y

TheBookHippie @jewright this reminded me of my brother and I and our parents 🤪😱🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️ you take them no you.. 5y

GingerAntics @Lcsmcat 🤣😂🤣 you can‘t really keep a list of really good insults next to the phone anymore. Phones just aren‘t stationary anymore. The landline needs to come back for this purpose. 🤣😂🤣 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie @jewright Too many people with Ed(ward/mond/win) in this time period. They all must have knicknames. lol (edited) 5y

GingerAntics @merelybookish Lear does seem to be really clueless in the most remarkable ways. At least it‘s amusing. 🤣😂🤣 “I want to give up my kingdom, but I don‘t want to give up all the perks.” 🤦🏼‍♀️ 5y

merelybookish @GingerAntics We call my son Ned. People are often surprised that it's a nickname for Edward. But that's why. It's like how Peggy is a nickname Margaret. 5y

merelybookish @GingerAntics He keeps trying to Lord those gifts over his daughters but it doesn't work. You can't expect people to owe you for what you gave freely. 5y

CoffeeNBooks I was astounded at just how quickly Regan and Goneril refused to have Lear stay with them! I wonder if he's really figured out yet that their words about how much they loved him were just that- just words. I don't think he understands the situation yet. 5y

TheBookHippie @CoffeeNBooks clueless I think you‘re right he doesn‘t understand. 5y

batsy I agree, each act feels like a full play in this one! I don't like Goneril or Regan but I'm surprised at how much I dislike Lear, too. When I first read it as an undergrad I was like "poor old man driven mad" but with the wisdom of old age (lol) I now see that power can cause his warped perception. I'm also so impressed with how devious Edmund can be—he pre-empts suspicion about his own motivations so well! I should take notes, lmao 5y

batsy @Lcsmcat @Graywacke Poking the bear! I like that; yes, I felt that from the beginning with Kent. He's so interesting! When he unleashed a torrent of insults at Oswald in Scene 2 I thought I was reading Lear's part, for a moment. There's a strange kind of doubling/mimicry in most of the speeches by different characters, I feel. I'm not sure what Shakespeare was on when he wrote it but I'm all for it 😆 5y

GingerAntics @merelybookish so true! You gave it of your own free will. You don‘t get to hold that over people‘s heads. Although, many people do try. 5y

GingerAntics @merelybookish what do they think Ned is a nickname for? I thought that‘s as common knowledge like Jim/James and Bob/Robert. 5y

GingerAntics @batsy so much happens in every act that it‘s almost hard to keep everything together. I‘m kind of hoping I can find a video online of this play. I think I‘m going to need it to put it all together. 5y

merelybookish @batsy I also have little patience for Lear. I suspect he wasnt a great dad. And I also find Edmund quite compelling! 5y

Graywacke I was not in the best state of mind while reading this act. Travel weariness. Kent was going crazy, Lear wasn‘t picking up the cues, R & G are so verbally passive in their assault, it‘s almost like a polite destruction. I was exhausted on finishing ... WAIT!! @batsy @merelybookish Some of you _like_ Edmund? He‘s atrocious! You‘re scaring me. 😑😶🥺...a little 5y

Graywacke @merelybookish Lear - definitely a clueless big baby. The last one in the room to realize what‘s happening. He even rationalizes Regan at first. But, the weirdest for me was, he curses out Goneril, then suddenly turns around and says, actually I‘ll take the 50. Not even a sorry... 5y

Graywacke @Lcsmcat will be thinking about Kent (and class. He can curse out Oswald, because of his station and O can‘t really do anything back - well, directly.) 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics hope you feel better 5y

Graywacke Side note: the sons-in-law and Oswald all seem very adept at biding their time. They don‘t have to anything except let Lear and Kent put nooses around their own necks, then they can gently kick out the chair. Found it interesting. 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke this act can cause weariness, so starting off there is not helpful. I‘ll agree with that. Just so much seems to be happening. I‘d agree with the “polite destruction” assessment on the daughters as well. It was hard to tell if they were being outright mean or if they were just at the end of their ropes with him. 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke interesting thoughts on the sons-in-law. They‘re staying out of it for now, but I doubt they‘re planning to just stand idly by and take in the entertainment forever. 5y

batsy @Graywacke Great point about Kent and class. I thought he was Lear for a moment when he was cussing our Oswald precisely because the mode of insult seemed "Trumpian" (it's what I scribbled in the margins...) Yet while Kent is doing that he's disguised as a servant (in order to serve Lear again). 5y

batsy @merelybookish Yes, reading through modern eyes I can't help but think that Lear is a narcissist (requirements for kingship? 😝) so it must have been tough having him as Dad. @Graywacke Nothing so appealing as a really crafty villain! 😳🙈 5y

GingerAntics @batsy “Trumpian” is a great way to describe Lear. That‘s a great word! 5y

merelybookish @Graywacke @batsy I also find my interest in Edmund surprising because I know in previous reads I loathed him. But this time I sort of have sympathy for the villians because I have little tolerance for the old men, "powers that be." I also might be projecting some of my feeling for Jon Snow (the bastard in Game of Thrones) on to him. ? 5y

merelybookish @Lcsmcat I hope you pull it off someday and then report their reaction of us! 😀 5y

batsy @merelybookish This is where I confess that I haven't watched GoT! (I think I should...catch up 😂) But I feel you! The older I get the more I'm like, every power structure already creates its own villains by the very nature of how power operates. I can see where Edmund is coming from (unlike, say, a villain like Iago). 5y

GingerAntics @Lcsmcat I second @batsy‘s motion! 5y

GingerAntics @batsy I haven‘t seen/read GoT either, but I have no ambition to rectify that situation. 🤣😂🤣 I‘ve got to say my attraction to Illegit Ed is far more personal, but I like him, too. 5y

Graywacke @merelybookish clueless on GoT and Jon Snow, appreciate that dad and legit Ed are not brilliant cats...but illegit Ed is not ok. 😐 Just saying. (To me, he‘s a sociopath.) 5y

Graywacke @batsy Kent and Lear Trumpian? Maybe. Definitely have entitlement issues. Mel Brookes might point out it‘s not easy no longer being the king. 🙂 5y

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King Lear | William Shakespeare

This week's #bookreport
🙏 Still loving The Waves
😀 Still enjoying King Lear
😑 Bailed on Doxology
😀 Liking What If This Were Enough
🙉🙈 Still TBR
@Cinfhen

Cinfhen That‘s the #LifeOfAReader I had a bail this week too 😜and I started two books which I wasn‘t even considering 5y

merelybookish @Cinfhen Very true! But I'm excited because after a crazy October, November is seeming less busy. So lots of reading! 5y

Cathythoughts I loved King Lear in school ❤️💔 5y

merelybookish @Cathythoughts One of his best! 5y

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Graywacke

King Lear | William Shakespeare

Read Act I while on a ✈️ - a cross-Pacific one. Not recommended. Had to reread a lot. But, it‘s pretty amazing so far.

Graywacke #shakespearereadalong @GingerAntics @merelybookish (edited) 5y

batsy I found it so amazing, too! Shakespeare went all in with this play. And yes, he's tough for me to read anywhere but in a chair at home with a pencil in my hand to underline and scribble 😂 5y

Graywacke @batsy my kids do Hebrew school on Sundays and my usual routine is reading at a coffee shop while they do that. I happen to love that - but it‘s a dream world compared to the a plane. Oye. But, also, this one is just harder, right? Seems he‘s pushing the reader (and the audience!). It works, I‘m really into it, but takes some deciphering. 5y

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Cathythoughts We did this one in school & put on the play ... loved it 👍🏻♥️ (edited) 5y

Graywacke @Cathythoughts fun. (I think I was not much a Shakespeare fan in school though - but I didn‘t read much of anything then) 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Mine‘s the same edition. What‘s the reading schedule for King Lear? I must have missed the post. 5y

Graywacke @erzascarletbookgasm conviently i have it typed up 5y

Graywacke @erzascarletbookgasm King Lear
- [ ] Act 1 - October 27
- [ ] Act 2 - November 3
- [ ] Act 3 - November 10
- [ ] Act 4 - November 17
- [ ] Act 5 - November 24 5y

Graywacke @erzascarletbookgasm (that was supposed to be one post...) 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Thanks, I‘ll screenshot it 👍🙂 5y

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King Lear (Revised) | William Shakespeare

So, we have a debate of fate over free will, some sin king rivalry, and a mad king. Thoughts?!
#Shakespeare #KingLear #shakespearereadalong

GingerAntics @wanderinglynn @BiblioLitten @oOArankaOo @TheBookHippie @Wife @saresmoore @DGRachel @CSeydel @Anna40 @readordierachel @Bookishgal71 @kathedron @Susannah @RestlessFickleBookHoarder @IndoorDame @cocomass @InLibrisVeritas @Gezemice 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie great minds think alike I guess. lol 5y

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CoffeeNBooks I'm really enjoying this one so far! I knew the basics of the play, but had never read it. I was surprised at how quickly Goneril and Regan turned on King Lear. Even though that was a horrible way for him to decide how to divide his kingdom, I felt kind of bad for him when they started treating him so poorly. 5y

GingerAntics @CoffeeNBooks it‘s certainly an interesting way to divide your lands. Then to disinherit one of them because she didn‘t react to your bad way to divide the land? Wow. I guess that made me greatly enjoy the end of this act where we finally get to see Lear‘s total madness. lol I think it‘s safe to say, at least in this act, parent/child relationships are explored. 5y

Lcsmcat This is a reread for me, so spoiler alert (sort of) but I didn‘t remember how many, many references to eyes and seeing, and blindness there are, right up front. 5y

Lcsmcat And the jokes really are bad! 5y

GingerAntics @Lcsmcat the jokes are pretty bad. It‘s almost like they‘re a little funny because of just how bad they are. You read them, they‘re terrible, you chuckle a bit. lol 5y

Lcsmcat @GingerAntics They‘re dad jokes. 5y

GingerAntics @Lcsmcat oh that is the perfect way to put them. Yes! 5y

TheBookHippie @GingerAntics 🤷🏽‍♀️🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻❤️ seriously though so good!!! 5y

TheBookHippie I‘m liking this one new read for me so it‘s fun. It‘s moving quickly! Reminds me of some relatives on Mr BookHippies side of the family so lots of laughter while reading😬😳🤣🤣🤷🏽‍♀️ 5y

merelybookish I've read this play a few times. And for the first time find myself sympathizing with Goneril, Regan and Edmund.I guess my general annoyance with powerful white men is affecting my reading. 😒😆I liked Edmund's speech making fun of his father for blaming the stars for bad things I didn't pick up on the allusions to.sight @Lcsmcat Nice catch! But the emphasis on natural/unnatural stuck out. 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie oh that just makes it better. lol 5y

GingerAntics @merelybookish I think I‘m in a place where I‘m sympathising with the offspring of the powerful men as well. As I was reading I was thinking “my reading is totally coloured by this situation” but it‘s a good play so far. I think I feel more of the illegitimate child more than anything, but I definitely feel for all the “kids.” 5y

readordierachel I read this once in high school and remember virtually nothing. Like you @merelybookish I'm finding myself siding with the youth. "Give me all your love and devotion and I'll give you some money to share with some dude." I'm not surprised Cordelia said no thanks. I know I'm reading through a modern lens, but I can't help it. 5y

Graywacke @Lcsmcat 🤣...dad jokes... he‘s a very dark dreary fool, but still good entertainment. 5y

Graywacke @merelybookish i had a moment where I wondered what I would do if my dad showed up at my house with a hundred knights to entertain...even if it had been his house... It‘s kind of asking a lot, no? (Thought Goneril could be a little more coherent though) 5y

Graywacke Overall, I was surprised how serious and difficult...and long...everyone‘s speeches seemed to be. Everyone gets a convoluted monologue. And I was surprised how bleak it is, with a not-funny fool (who was still, actually funny) And I was impressed with how much is in Act I. Feels like I read a whole play. ... 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke everyone does get a speech in this one. Everyone gets a long winded speech at that. It certainly is a very full first act. 5y

Graywacke And I found it interesting how high Lear built himself up. High talk, can‘t handle criticism, can‘t handle a put-out Goneril. It‘s all or nothing for him. .... And how about Cordelia‘s response to Burgundy? That was a wonderfully bitter “Peace be with you”. 5y

Graywacke @GingerAntics love the cartoon 5y

GingerAntics @Graywacke Lear certainly has a very high opinion of himself. There are a lot of big personalities in this one. 5y

merelybookish @Graywacke Yes, Lear wants to cede his power without actually giving up any of his power or perks. 5y

jewright I read this play in college and liked it then, but that was in 2005. The dialogue seems more like the snappy and funny Shakespeare I like than the super complicated one from Titus Andronicus. I do wish Shakespeare wouldn‘t name his characters so similarly—Edmund and Edgar—for example. I had to keep checking which was which. Use a different letter, Shakespeare! 5y

jewright @Lcsmcat 😂 Totally agree with the dad jokes comment! 5y

batsy I've only read this once and was surprised anew by how rich even the first act is. Again, so many parallels to modern life. I too feel bad for Goneril this time; the daughters are put in this horrible competitive position & Lear's obsession with power might be the source of his "madness". Like Cordelia says, the "glib and oily art" of false speech still seems to get people ahead in this day & age! I enjoyed the monologues by Gloucester & Edmund. 5y

batsy @merelybookish I liked that bit by Edmund, too! Very nicely done & so I find myself siding with the devious "illegitimate" child, as well. They have rules & laws about legitimacy of children & then very blame them for demanding equitability! Can Edmund help but be "evil" ??‍♀️ @TheBookHippie Same! Some extended/distant relatives of mine do come to mind when I read this ? @Lcsmcat So accurate about the dad jokes! 5y

TheBookHippie @batsy 🙌🏻😳😬 relatives 🤣🤣🤷🏽‍♀️ 5y

TheBookHippie @batsy I do find it crazy how real life seems like a Shakespearean play ! 5y

TheBookHippie @Graywacke reading the news this morning trumps handlers usually keep him from places where he‘d be not celebrated “Trump‘s staff has long tried to shield him from events where he might be loudly booed or heckled..” made me think of Lear 🤣 5y

Graywacke @TheBookHippie heard something about Nationals fans making us all proud... (and I say that as an Astros fan) 5y

GingerAntics @TheBookHippie @Graywacke I heard that, too. It‘s just unfortunate it was on Fox, so no way that was getting televised. lol I‘m hoping to see some footage later. You know SOMEONE got that on video. I‘ve never been so grateful for all the cell phones in the world. lol Lear reminded me a bit of Trump, too. I could see him pulling a “do you trust me” test on his daughters. 5y

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Kimberlone

King Lear | William Shakespeare

Oops, I forgot to post for the #green prompt yesterday! Hear are a bunch of Shakespeare books with green covers from my office bookshelf. None are necessarily horror, but murder and eye gouging does feature prominently in at least two of these plays.

#chillingphotochallenge #scarathlon #teamstoker @TheReadingMermaid

BeansPage 🧟‍♀️ 5y

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King Lear (Revised) | William Shakespeare

Sorry I‘m getting this out so late. It‘s been a crazy couple weeks here, but I‘m on track now. If I‘m missing anyone in the tags or anyone wants to be removed from the list for this play, just let me know.
#Shakespeare #KingLear #shakespearereadalong

GingerAntics @Trashcanman 5y

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batsy Thanks! 5y

TheBookHippie Yay! Here we go! 5y

Graywacke Thanks! Huh...I‘m traveling Oct 27...like actually all day. I‘ll chime in when I can. 5y

readordierachel 👍🏼👍🏼 5y

Gezemice Thanks! 5y

merelybookish Can you tag me? 😁 5y

GingerAntics @merelybookish I knew I forgot something. lol (edited) 5y

CSeydel Hi, you can take me off the tag list for the Shakespeare read-alongs - work and other personal commitments have taken over 5y

GingerAntics @CSeydel will do. Feel free to come back for discussions anytime if things calm down. 5y

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#king
#poetrymatters

@TheSpineView

King Lear | William Shakespeare

What do you do when you have no time to read? Buy more books, of course! Stopped at Goodwill today for boots for my son and instead got the next
📚#shakespearereadalong pick
📚In Cold Blood (in case @readordierachel and @batsy and I get around to reading it. 😁)
📚A pretty copy of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

LeahBergen That IS a pretty edition of Spark! 5y

Chrissyreadit In Cold Blood is amazing! 5y

batsy I was just thinking about In Cold Blood today 😁 @readordierachel 5y

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Aimeesue Lovely Spark! Obviously la crème de la crème. (edited) 5y

readordierachel Very pretty copy! And, yes, I still want to read In Cold Blood one of these days! 😃 @batsy 5y

Reviewsbylola In Cold Blood is fantastic! 5y

merelybookish @readordierachel @batsy Want to try for nonfiction November? 5y

merelybookish @Chrissyreadit @Reviewsbylola I have only ever heard raves! Need to bump it to the top of the #TBR 5y

merelybookish @LeahBergen @Aimeesue Thanks! Creme de la.creme indeed! 😁 5y

batsy @merelybookish @readordierachel Yes! Let's do it 🙂🤞🏽 5y

readordierachel @batsy @merelybookish I'm down! 5y

merelybookish @batsy @readordierachel okay! It's on!! Let's make it loose, anytime in November! I'll make a post and see if anyone else wants to join. Of course, we may be the only people who haven't read this classic yet. 😆 5y

readordierachel @merelybookish Sounds great!👍🏼 5y

batsy Wonderful! Thank you :) 5y

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Eggs

King Lear | William Shakespeare

TheSpineView 😍 😍 😍 5y

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LitsyHappenings

King Lear (Revised) | William Shakespeare

Repost for @merelybookish :
Announcing the next 2 #shakespearereadalong plays:
🎭Sept 15-Oct 13 - The Tempest
🎭Oct 27-Nov 24 - King Lear
We'll break in Dec & resume in the new year. We're ending 2019 strong, with a few of the Bard's best!
Also, our original host & founder, the lovely @readinginthedark has stepped down. We would love to add another host to our rotation! If you're interested or have questions, please email mtillstaff at gmail

merelybookish Thanks for reposting!! 5y

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