King Lear in our Time - Scholarly Edition and Critical

In this review of King Lear in our Time the reviewer finds a focused, academic look at Shakespeare's most debated tragedy that will appeal to students, scholars, and serious readers. The edition, first published in 1966 by Maynard Mack, offers a historical survey of competing interpretations and a study of the play's medieval and folk sources; its chief selling point is the clear tracing of how performance choices and textual alterations have shaped readings of Lear over time. Those seeking a concise, critical treatment of interpretation and source material will find this edition particularly useful.

Key Features

• Historical analysis: The opening section maps the variety of historical concepts of King Lear and explains how differing productions have reshaped the play for new audiences.
• Performance critique: Detailed discussion of actors and productions, including Garrick, Laughton, and Olivier, highlights how performance choices alter character and tone.
• Textual study: The book documents distortions of text and plot used in stage traditions, helping readers follow how editorial decisions change meaning.
• Source scholarship: The central section examines medieval, folk and romance sources, giving context to themes and motifs that inform the play's structure.
• Thematic synthesis: The final chapter links the play's persistent violence and evil to dramatic action rather than purely psychological causes, offering a corrective to reductive readings.

Who It's For

Scholars, advanced students of Shakespeare, and theatre historians will profit most from this edition because it concentrates on interpretive history and source study rather than introductory plot summary. The book is strong for courses or research focused on performance history and textual criticism.

Casual readers seeking a modern annotated text or a reader-friendly introduction to the plot and characters may want a different edition that includes full textual apparatus, modernized notes, or a performance-friendly introduction; this volume is primarily an interpretive and historical essay collection from the mid-20th century.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, scholarly account of how differing productions and editors have changed readings of King Lear.
• In-depth source material analysis that illuminates the play's medieval and folk roots.
• Useful critiques of notable performances that contextualize theatrical choices.

Cons

• The edition's academic tone and 1966 perspective may feel dated for readers seeking contemporary critical methods or modern edited texts.

Specifications

Title	King Lear in our Time
Author / Editor	Maynard Mack
First published	1966
Previous edition	1965, University of California Press
Primary focus	Interpretation, performance history, and sources
Content highlights	Historical section, performance analysis, source studies, final thematic chapter

Our Verdict

King Lear in our Time is a compact, informed study that rewards readers who want a historically grounded account of how interpretation and performance have shaped the play. It offers good value for scholars and serious students because of its focused treatment of sources and stage history, though those needing a modern annotated text should supplement it with an edition geared to textual reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a modern annotated text?
No. This edition is primarily a critical and historical study rather than a modern annotated edition of the play.

Who authored this edition?
The work is by Maynard Mack, drawing on examples of notable performances and source material.

Does it cover stage performances?
Yes. The book includes analysis of actors and productions such as Garrick, Laughton, and Olivier and discusses how those performances influenced readings of Lear.