King Lear Audiobook By William Shakespeare cover art

King Lear

Arkangel Shakespeare

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King Lear

By: William Shakespeare
Narrated by: Trevor Peacock, Clive Merrison, full cast
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This shattering drama of isolation and loss is one of the greatest tragedies in world literature.

King Lear of Britain has three daughters: the hard-hearted Goneril and Regan, and the good and gentle Cordelia. He determines to divide his kingdom between them, giving the largest share to she who can say she loves him the best. Lear's tragic lack of judgment and self-knowledge is paralleled by the blindness of the loyal Gloucester who is persuaded to reject his virtuous son, Edgar, in favor of the villainous Edmund.

Lear is played by Trevor Peacock and Gloucester by Clive Merrison. Penny Downie is Goneril, Samantha Bond is Regan, and Julia Ford is Cordelia. Edgar is played by David Tennant, Edmund by Gerard Murphy, and the Fool by John Rogan.

Public Domain (P)2014 Blackstone Audiobooks Drama & Plays Shakespeare Heartfelt Inspiring

Featured Article: 50+ Timeless Shakespeare Quotes


From knock-knock jokes to the wild goose chase, we owe many of our most-used and best-loved phrases to the talent of the Bard. His words are timeless in their direct wisdom, their witty humor, and their surprising applicability to modern life: its nature, its purpose, and its pitfalls. We’ve collected some of our favorite William Shakespeare quotes for when you want to think about life’s big questions, wax poetic on the nature of love, or just need a good laugh. Immerse yourself in these Shakespeare quotes to dive into the comedies and tragedies penned by the Bard of Avon.

Featured Article 50+ Timeless Shakespeare Quotes
Compelling Performance • Powerful Drama • Powerful Character Portrayals • Engaging Plot • Brilliant Production
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Shakespeare always gives you more than you bargained for. The sisters personify the contrasting elements in life, just as Lear symbolizes life itself.

Inspirational

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Arkangel Shakespeare is the only one I prefer it matches the Oxford book the best. Great discovery will only and always go with listening to Arkangel. Thank you.

Best listening

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The story is a drastic starter and tragic ending with so many plot twists and story entwining between so many kingdoms and kings with sisters fighting for royal right and conspiring brothers.

A tale of pain and loss

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This is the good one. It is combined text (meaning Folio and quarto extras that were edited later on. If you don’t have part in you book, it’s fine. This is still good. (It’s the same for the other one too). Combined text version. I read on Norton anthology textbook which has all versions. This the good one. Most accurate.

Great, this is the one

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Fine dramatization, as good as BBC. I really appreciated the Lear voice. Some weird "blop-blop" music is arresting...

Compelling performance

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A bit slow paced to begin with. Be ready to cry just like most Shax. The actors did amazing but it’s hard listening to people screaming out in pain. A lot of characters and tricky poetry I would recommend reading along with a text while listening.

Disturbing, Heartbreaking, Amazing

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Old words sounds so much better when acted out. I especially enjoyed the performance by Trevor Peacock. Very raw and emotional.

Superb acting by Trevor Peacock

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I'm not sure I need to say anything about the play. It's a classic. Complex, profound, and beautiful. I really like this production though. My go to audio version of the play.

Great production!

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This was a wonderful production. I had never read or seen King Lear. This was a wonderful production. Fantastically acted full of emotion. The story was spectacular.

Beautifully done!

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A profound performance on every level. Peacock at his best with an unforgettable and uncredited turn by David Tenant.

heartfelt rendition pulls no punches

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