Product Description

Edward Bond's version of Lear's story embraces myth and reality, war and politics, to reveal the violence endemic in all unjust societies. He exposes corrupted innocence as the core of social morality, and this false morality as a source of the aggressive tension which must ultimately destroy that society. In a play in which blindness becomes a dramatic metaphor for insight, Bond warns that 'it is so easy to subordinate justice to power, but when this happens power takes on the dynamics and dialectics of aggression, and then nothing is really changed'.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #204797 in Books
• Published on: 1983-04-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 112 pages

Customer Reviews

A modern and startling interpretation of Shakespeare's play
This play reworks Shakespeare's Lear story in a thoroughly modern way. In his introduction Bond states how natural it is to him to write about violence and this comes through in the play, which is certainly not for the squeamish, as it involves very graphic and agonising accounts of bodily suffering. Bond's version of Lear does not adhere closely to Shakespeare's plot or style, and rarely contains long, prosaic passages of reflection. It is reminiscent of Beckett in the staccato effect of the often banale lines and childish names that thinly disguise the depths of suffering continually occuring in the play, and ultimately, the world.

A brilliant reworking of a Shakespearean Masterpiece
With adaptations of Shakespeare's works becoming the new vogue it is refreshing to go back to basics. And Edward Bond's 'Lear' does just that.

It is a retelling of the maestro's classic 'King Lear' and follows very much the same story line but updates it slightly so it can be understood by all.

The play is about power and love and contains everything that you would expect from a good Shakespearean tragedy (namely very few people left on their feet by the end of the play)

This version of the play is indispensible on it's own, but is also very useful for those studying the play 'King Lear'and are finding it difficult to get the hang of Shakespeare's language and settings.

A poor play by a poor playwright.
In coming up with the 2 star rating I have not taken into account Bond's introduction - doing so would reduce the rating to 1 star. The introduction is highly illuminating though in making clear Bond's weaknessess - flat, uninvolving language and simplistic politics. (To be brutally honest the introduction is feeble-minded, but intellect is quite clearly not one of Bond's strongpoints.)
As to the play it has a few vaguely effective moments but more often comes across as closer to panto than tragedy. Bond has no gift for language - his plays wilt compared to bad John Osbourne, let alone the Bard. If you want to see a great British Brecht influenced play see "Sergeant Musgrave's Dance" by John Arden and you will realise how bad this is.
Bond is highly acclaimed and little produced (the violence and inarticulacy makes trendy critics feel that it's "real") .