Shakespeare's Tragedy of King Lear

London, UK : J.M. Dent and Company, 1897 J.M. Dent and Company, London, UK. 1897. Hardcover. Stated 3rd Edition. One of The Temple Shakespeare Series. Book is tight, square, and is marked throughout with pencil notes and translations; F/O signature on the FFFP dated January 4, 1898. Book Condition: Good +; shelfwear to head, tail, and tips; curling of tips; small tear to spine fabric. No DJ. Maroon cloth boards and spine with bright gilt lettering on the spine; Temple Shakespeare logo embossed on front board; Non Sans Droict (Not Without Rights) stamp to the front and rear pastedowns. Frontispiece drawing of Shakespeare Cliff with sepia tissue guard; decorative title page with white tissue guard. Deckle fore edge and bottom edge. Gilt top edging. 188 pp 24mo. King Lear is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare. It is loosely based on the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between his daughters Goneril and Regan, who pay homage to gain favour, feigning love. The King's third daughter, Cordelia, is offered a third of his kingdom also, but refuses to be insincere in her praise and affection. She instead offers the respect of a daughter and is disowned by Lear who seeks flattery. Regan and Goneril subsequently break promises to host Lear and his entourage, so he opts to become homeless and destitute, goes insane, and the French King married to Cordelia invades Britain to restore order and Lear's rule. In a subplot, Edmund, the illegitimate son of Gloucester, betrays his brother and father. Tragically, Lear, Cordelia and several other main characters die. A clean very presentable copy.