
A frail monarch, weary from years of rule, decides to divide his realm among his three daughters, hoping to secure peace and ensure his legacy. As he announces his plan, the court buzzes with intrigue, and his loyal advisers grapple with the weight of their duties. The king’s misplaced trust in flattering words soon reveals the fragile balance between love, ambition, and loyalty.
Meanwhile, the younger son of a noble family, hidden from the world for years, returns to a kingdom already trembling on the brink of chaos. Through sharp dialogue and vivid character sketches, the opening scenes set a tone of tension and looming tragedy, inviting listeners to witness the personal and political storms that will test each character’s honor. The early act lays the groundwork for a powerful exploration of aging, authority, and the consequences of misguided decisions.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (137K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2000-07-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1564–1616
Often called the greatest writer in the English language, this English playwright and poet created dramas and verses that still feel alive on the page and stage. His stories of ambition, love, jealousy, power, and loss continue to speak to readers centuries later.
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