Pocket, King Lear's fool, sets out to straighten out the mess the mad king has made of the kingdom and the royal family, only to discover the truth about his own heritage.

Presents the original text of Shakespeare's play side by side with a modern version, discusses the author and the theatre of his time, and provides quizzes and other study activities. Here is a modern version of one of his most brilliantly realized tragedies, this powerful tale of the agin King Lear, his too-rash decisions, and his betrayal at the hands of his own family becomes a powerful, unforgettable tale for today's reader. Modern English...

"When an old and jaded king sets out to divide his realm among his three daughters, demanding proof of their devotion in words, he instead divides his family. So begins a bitter struggle that eats away at the kingdom-- and the old man's sanity-- in this timeless tale of pride and defiance" -- from dust jacket flap.