Shakespeare on Old Age: Sir Ian McKellen on playing King Lear

Does King Lear suffer from dementia, or just old age? Ian McKellen, who played the part for the Royal Shakespeare Company, has a very different view from that of Simon Russell Beale in his National Theatre platform talk, quoted in the previous film.

[@stephenwinter5958]

What a beautiful conversation. McKellen is such a great soul and I was moved to tears more than once. I never saw Lear as a redemptive play before this.
On the theology of Lear to which Sir Ian makes reference from time to time I would argue that it is a necessary spiritual task to reject idols. Lear's loss of faith in the gods that have been the undergirding of his life until now is absolutely essential to the discovery of his humanity. Sir Ian speaks of everything being OK in the end. There is meaning within the tragic events. There is love.

[@joejohnson6327]

Is there always love? Many lives are meaningless tales told by an idiot.

[@chocolate-xg5uf]

This interview is so wonderful. I can listen Sir Ian talk all day❤

[@bryanjohnston4526]

King Lear, a "Play about Retirement," just one of many brilliant insights from Sir Ian McKellen. Thank you for this gem of an interview. Truly fascinating!