Revolving around the themes of war, treason and betrayal, King Lear is the most famous of all Shakespeare’s tragedies. The play recounts the story of a self-absorbed father and a misjudged daughter, who is banished for unfair reasons. The play illustrates the king’s slow descent into madness, for valuing appearances above reality. Shakespeare’s vivid caricature, reflection of human relationships and Lear’s ‘reason-in-madness’ entitles King Lear as Shakespeare’s greatest masterpiece.