King Lear (version 2): Free Audiobook and Listening Guide

King Lear (version 2), credited to William Shakespeare, is available as a LibriVox volunteer audiobook. This guide identifies the recording, its source summary and its audio tracks.

About the work

The LibriVox catalogue summary, preserved with the recording, reads:

LibriVox recording of King Lear by William Shakespeare. The Tragedy of King Lear is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The title character descends into madness after foolishly disposing of his estate between two of his three daughters based on their flattery, bringing tragic consequences for all. The play is based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological pre-Roman Celtic king. It has been widely adapted for the stage and motion pictures, and the role of Lear has been coveted and played by many of the world's most accomplished actors. The play was written between 1603 and 1606 and later revised. Shakespeare's earlier version, The True Chronicle of the History of the Life and Death of King Lear and His Three Daughters, was published in quarto in 1608. The Tragedy of King Lear, a more theatrical version, was included in the 1623 First Folio. Modern editors usually conflate the two, though some insist that each version has its individual integrity that should be preserved. After the Restoration, the play was often revised with a happy ending for audiences who disliked its dark and depressing tone, but since the 19th century Shakespeare's original version has been regarded as one of his supreme achievements. The tragedy is particularly noted for its probing observations on the nature of human suffering and kinship. George Bernard Shaw wrote, "No man will ever write a better tragedy than Lear". (Summary by Wikipedia) Cast King Lear: Bob Gonzalez Edmund/King of France/Second Servant: Elizabeth Klett Duke of Burgundy/Messenger: VikingJames Duke of Cornwall: David Goldfarb Duke of Albany: Noel Badrian Earl of Kent: Arielle Lipshaw Earl of Gloucester: Martin Geeson Edgar: DublinGothic Curan/Third Servant/Captain: Nathaniel W.C. Higgins Knight/Old Man/Physician: Algy Pug Fool/Herald: Amy L. Gramour Oswald: Kristingj First Servant/Officer: Tiffany Halla Colonna Gentleman: Dan Raynham Goneril: Bev J. Stevens Regan: Liberty Stump Cordelia: Miss Avarice Narrator: Denny Sayers Audio edited by Elizabeth Klett

Recording facts

• Recording title: King Lear (version 2)
• Author credits: William Shakespeare
• Language: English
• Original MP3 tracks: 5
• Listed recording duration: 3:23:50

Catalogue topics

• audio
• shakespeare
• king lear
• tragedy

Track guide

1. 1 - Act 1 — 55:41
2. 2 - Act 2 — 37:10
3. 3 - Act 3 — 39:16
4. 4 - Act 4 — 44:18
5. 5 - Act 5 — 27:26

Listen to this recording

Open the complete recording and player on Internet Archive. The player includes the full track list and available download formats.

Source and rights

This is a record from LibriVox's official Internet Archive collection, with a public-domain licence recorded in its metadata. LibriVox's policy includes its catalogue summaries as well as its recordings. Its public-domain assessment follows United States law; copyright status can differ elsewhere. The summary and track facts are reproduced and reformatted from that record. Dates attached to the archive upload are not treated as original book publication dates.