100 Great Books: (Book 21: King Lear. Supplementary Read: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller)

The trials and tribulations of parenthood

“They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to, but they do.”

Philip Larkin

Shakespeare’s tragedy captures the intimate disaster of a father who mistakes control for love and authority for wisdom.

At its heart, King Lear argues that parenthood without self-knowledge becomes destructive, and that insight, when delayed, can be as tragic as ignorance.

Context and Plot

We discussed this earlier, while referencing the popular TV show Succession, but you can review the core lessons below.

King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters so he can retire without losing honor or comfort. Before doing so, he stages a public ceremony in which each daughter must declare her love for him. The more extravagant the declaration, the greater the reward.

His two eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan, understand the performance required. They flatter him lavishly. His youngest daughter, Cordelia, refuses to exaggerate or perform love, insisting that real affection does not need theatrical proof. Lear interprets this honesty as rejection and banishes her.

Lear gives political power to Goneril and Regan while retaining the title of king. Once they have power, they quickly reduce his authority, strip him of dignity, and eventually cast him out entirely. Deprived of shelter, Lear wanders into a violent storm, where his sense of identity begins to collapse.

Running alongside this story is a second family, designed to mirror and intensify the first.