King Lear

King Lear (1606) is perhaps William Shakespeare's greatest tragedy. As the story opens, Lear decides to divide his empire and property among his three daughters on the basis of their declarations of love for him. Goneril and Regan flatter him to achieve the largest shares, but Cordelia refuses to do so and is thus disowned by the King. Lear's vanity and foolishness bring him destruction and tragedy.