lear

lear — noun

1. the main character of Shakespeare's play King Lear: an old British king who divi

1.名詞C1
釋義

the main character of Shakespeare's play King Lear: an old British king who divides his kingdom among his daughters based on how well they praise him. The two who lie to please him later turn against him; he goes mad and is left broken before a final meeting with the one daughter who really loved him.

例句

Yael wrote her thesis on the theme of madness in King Lear.

The actor playing Lear forgot his lines during the storm scene.

theatre usage: 'playing Lear' as a shorthand for the role

用法筆記

Always refers to the Shakespeare character or adaptations of the play. Do not confuse with Edward Lear (1812–1888), the English poet and painter known for nonsense verse such as The Owl and the Pussycat.

常見錯誤

❌Lear wrote The Owl and the Pussycat.
✅Edward Lear wrote The Owl and the Pussycat.
💡King Lear is the Shakespeare character; Edward Lear is the Victorian nonsense poet and painter.