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Kings and rulers -- Drama Books
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William Shakespeare
King Lear
"King Lear" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written in late 1605 or early 1606. Set in pre-Roman Britain, the play follows King Lear's catastrophic decision to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their declarations of love. When his youngest daughter speaks honestly rather than flatteringly, Lear disowns her, triggering a chain of betrayals, madness, and destruction. Known for its dark tone and themes of blindness and madness, the play is regarded as one of literature's greatest achievements.
William Shakespeare
King Lear
"King Lear" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written in late 1605 or early 1606. Set in pre-Roman Britain, the play follows King Lear's catastrophic decision to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their declarations of love. When his youngest daughter refuses to flatter him, Lear sets in motion a chain of devastating consequences involving betrayal, madness, and blindness. Known for its dark tone and complex poetry, the play is regarded as one of Shakespeare's supreme achievements and among the greatest works of literature ever written.
Rabindranath Tagore
Red oleanders : $b A drama in one act
Translation of রক্তকরবী (Raktakarabī).
William Shakespeare
King Lear
"King Lear" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written in late 1605 or early 1606. Set in pre-Roman Britain, the play follows an aging king who divides his kingdom among his daughters based on their declarations of love, triggering devastating consequences. Known for its dark tone and exploration of blindness and madness, the work depicts family betrayal, political chaos, and human suffering. Regarded as one of Shakespeare's supreme achievements, it is regularly cited as one of the greatest works of literature ever written.
William Shakespeare
King Lear
"King Lear" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written in late 1605 or early 1606. Set in pre-Roman Britain, the play follows an aging king who divides his kingdom among his daughters based on their declarations of love, with devastating consequences. Known for its dark tone and themes of blindness and madness, the work explores power, family betrayal, and the descent into chaos. Regarded as one of Shakespeare's supreme achievements, it is regularly cited as among the greatest works of literature ever written.
Heinrich von Kleist
Penthesilea
"Penthesilea" by Heinrich von Kleist is a tragedy written in 1808. The play reimagines the mythological Amazon queen who enters the Trojan War to capture Greek warriors as potential husbands—a sacred Amazon tradition. When Penthesilea and the hero Achilles meet on the battlefield, they fall passionately in love. But their mutual desire collides violently with Amazon law, which demands that warriors defeat men in combat before claiming them. A devastating misunderstanding transforms love into fury, leading to a shocking climax that explores the dangerous boundary between passion and destruction.
Heinrich von Kleist
Prinz Friedrich von Homburg
"Prinz Friedrich von Homburg" by Heinrich von Kleist is a drama written in 1809/1810. A young Prussian cavalry general disobeys orders during battle and leads his regiment to victory. Despite the triumph, the Great Elector has him arrested and sentenced to death for insubordination. The prince must confront his fear of dying and grapple with questions of military discipline, personal freedom, and duty to the state. Will he accept his fate or seek pardon by declaring the sentence unjust?
William Shakespeare
Das Leben und der Tod des Königs Lear
"Das Leben und der Tod des Königs Lear" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written around 1606. The play follows the fate of King Lear and his three daughters amid the violent turmoil of a divided kingdom. When Lear banishes his youngest daughter Cordelia for failing a test of love, he sets in motion a devastating chain of events. A parallel storyline involving Earl Gloucester and his two sons mirrors Lear's tragedy, as loyal children are cast out while disloyal ones scheme for power and inheritance.
Franz Grillparzer
Die Jüdin von Toledo Historisches Trauerspiel in fünf Aufzügen
"Die Jüdin von Toledo" by Franz Grillparzer is a historical tragedy written largely between 1848 and 1855, though published posthumously in 1872. When a spirited young Jewish woman named Rahel intrudes into the royal gardens of Toledo, she captivates the king with her passionate nature. As the king falls under her spell, his kingdom faces threats from the Moors. The queen and court must decide how far they will go to break the enchantment and restore the king to reason.
Francis Beaumont
The Maids Tragedy
"The Maids Tragedy" by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher is a play written around 1608–1611. When soldier Melantius returns victorious from war, he discovers his friend Amintor has been forced to abandon his betrothed and marry Melantius's sister Evadne instead. On their wedding night, Evadne reveals a devastating secret about the King that shatters Amintor and sets in motion a tragic chain of revenge, betrayal, and bloodshed that will engulf the court of Rhodes.
Henrik Hertz
Kuningas René'n tytär : $b Lyrillinen drama yhdessä näytöksessä
"Kuningas René'n tytär: Lyrillinen drama yhdessä näytöksessä" by Henrik Hertz is a Danish verse drama written in 1845. This fictional tale reimagines the early life of Yolande of Lorraine as a beautiful blind princess who lives sheltered in a garden paradise, unaware of her condition or royal identity. When Count Tristan arrives for an arranged marriage, he unknowingly falls in love with his own betrothed. The play explores themes of sight, awakening, and love as the princess approaches her sixteenth birthday and a promised cure.
William Shakespeare
Le roi Lear
"Le roi Lear" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written between 1603 and 1606. When aging King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their declarations of love, his favorite daughter Cordelia's honest restraint enrages him. He banishes her and splits his realm between his two flattering elder daughters, setting in motion a devastating chain of betrayal, suffering, and family destruction in pre-Christian Britain.
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