More has been written about him than about any writer that ever lived. And yet, although we know more about him than most of his contemporaries, there are certain things that historians cannot say with a firm. Shakespeare was probably born on 23rd of April, 1564, in Stratford-on-Avon. His father was a respectable shopkeeper and dealt in wool, skins, leather and gloves. His mother, Mary Arden, was a farmer’s daughter. William was the eldest of children. We know that when Shakespeare was 18, he married Anne Hathaway, a woman eight years older than himself, that in 1583 Susanna, their first child, was born, and that twins Hamnet and Judith followed in 1585. At the age of 22 Shakespeare left Stratford alone, for London. We know that in 1593 and 1594 he wrote 2 early poems, “Venus and Adonis” and “Lucrece”. Later, he became a member of the company known as “Chamberlain’s Men” which played at the “Theatre”. He often acted at court, and retired, about 1611, to Stratford. The day of his death was the 23rd of April, 1616, fifty-two years exactly after the supposed day of birth. It is true that he never went to university or traveled abroad. He learned grammar, logic and Latin at the grammar school, and he had enough education to develop his literary skill. That is all we know about William Shakespeare. In that times theatre was the most exciting entertainment. Theatres were built in London during Elizabeth’s reign and plays were performed in them that have interested people ever since. There were the first theatres built in Britain since Roman times. The Globe was the most famous theatre of those days in London. The best-known playwright of the time, William Shakespeare, put on his plays there. The plays were put on had to interest all sorts of people. Many wanted a simple story with plenty of action, others wanted poetry and fine speeches, so most plays had both. An Elizabethan theatre was very different to a modern one. It was round and had no roof. Plays were put on in the afternoon, when the weather was fine. A flag was flown or a cannon fired so that people knew a play was on. The stage jutted out across the yard or pit. The actors were all men or boys. Only later, in the 17th century, did women start to act. While Queen Elizabeth and many people liked the plays, some very religious people known as Puritans thought them to be sinful. Even worse than this was the danger of spreading plague. The City Council thought that it was when people collected together to watch plays. But, in spite of it, people liked to watch this plays. So, William Shakespeare, put on his plays in theaters. Among this plays was “King Lear”. It is considered by many people Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy. It was written between the years of 1603 and 1606: Lear, king of Britain, worn out with age, being more than eighty years old, was determined to take no further part in state affairs and wanted to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Both Goneril and Regan, the elder daughters, said that they loved their father more than words could give out, that he was dearer to them than the light of their own eyes, dearer than life and liberty. The king, delighted to hear this words, and he turned to his younger daughter. Cordelia disgusted with the flattery of her sisters, whose hearts she knew were far from their lips, made no other reply but this,-that she loved her father according to her duty, neither more, nor less. She was in fact the only daughter who sincerely loved him. Lear was so shocked by her words, in his anger, guided so much by passion, disinherited Cordelia, dividing the kingdom between her sisters. The Duke of Burgundy and the King of France, who were at that time staying at the court of Lear as they were both suitors for Cordelia’s hand. The Duke of Burgundy gave up his proposal to marry Cordelia, but the King of France understood why Cordelia had spoken that way, he loved her and made her his Queen. With a heavy heart she left her father’s castle. Lear had arranged to live with Goneril and Regan in turn. During first month the old king began to find out the difference between promises and performances. Both daughters shut the door on her father. Lear left the castle. The old men’s mind was disturbed and he raged furiously against humanity and against his daughters. And he was found by his ever-faithful servant the Earl of Kent. Meanwhile Cordelia and her husband landed at Dover with the French army. Their aim was to restore the old king to his throne. Cordelia found her father mad. She nursed Lear tenderly. She did not blame him. She loved her father and was ready to defend him from the cruel of sisters. Cordelia’s and Lear’s happiness however was short-lived. Both Cordelia and Lear were made prisoners in a battle between French and England and she was killed. Soon Lear died too.

Сам пару слов скажи про то, какой это текст, типа анализа J (можно пересказать по меньше): This is a psychological story.The main characters of the story are King Lear and his daughters. The story has a very interesting and original plot.The problems revealed by the author are rather urgent nowadays.These are the problems of money and relationship between parents and children.