It should be a testament to the complexity of Ken Kesey’s Sometimes a Great Notion that, when I started a Shakespeare play the following day, it seemed easy in comparison.

Having read The Merry Wives of Windsor a few months ago, I found King Lear to be superior, both in oomph and heartstring effect.

Roundabout act III, I found myself actually whispering “Oh, NO” to myself at certain events. I was wrapped up.

A side note: There is a scene in this play which, of the 13 Shakespeare plays I’m sure I’ve read (I realize this sounds odd, but I’m not sure if I’ve read “Love’s Labor’s Lost” or “All’s Well that Ends Well”), is the most graphically violent. Makes one realize that Shakespeare usually keeps violent acts metaphorical.

Rating: **** (out of 5)