Published by Ignatius Press

One of the most popular of Shakespeare's plays, King Lear is also one of the most thought-provoking. The play turns on the practical ramifications of the words of Christ that we should render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's. When confronted with the demand that she should render unto Caesar that which is God's, Cordelia chooses to "love and be silent". As the play unfolds each of the principal characters learns wisdom through suffering. This edition includes new critical essays by some of the leading lights in contemporary literary scholarship.

Ignatius Critical Editions (ICE) Study Guides are constructed to aid the reader of ICE classics to achieve a level of critical and literary appreciation befitting the works themselves. They give introductions and summaries, followed up with in-depth considerations of key critical moments and themes, plus lists of "points to ponder" while reading. Finally, they include questions to test the students' knowledge of the text and ability to go from that knowledge to wider or higher conclusions about the works and their relation to reality. Ideally suited for students themselves and as a guide for teachers, the ICE Study Guides serve as a complement to the treasures of critical appreciation already included in ICE titles.