King Lear 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." King Lear of Britain, elderly and wanting to retire from the duties of the monarchy, decides to divide his realm among his three daughters, and declares he will offer the largest share to the one who loves him most. The eldest, Goneril, speaks first, declaring her
King Lear (1987 film) old English and French name for dragon, and the Wagnerian equivalent is 'Wurm'. Revelation, chapter 12 tells how the great red dragon is thrown down to earth, and v. 9 gives some of its names: dragon, serpent, devil, Satan. "Do not come between the dragon and his wrath," says Lear several times during the film. One of the most famous cinematic dragons is perhaps the scene-stealing star of Part I of "Die Nibelungen". The film featured in "Histoire(s) du cinéma", Godard's next huge project after "King Lear": "Short of fusing himself into the celluloid, Godard does what he can to