《李爾王》是莎士比亞創作的四大悲劇之一，其中的精彩劇情更適用于英文劇本的創作。

　　KING LEAR

　　Meantime we shall express our darker purpose.

　　Give me the map there. Know that we have divided

　　In three our kingdom: and 'tis our fast intent

　　To shake all cares and business from our age;

　　Conferring them on younger strengths, while we

　　Unburthen'd crawl toward death. Our son of Cornwall,

　　And you, our no less loving son of Albany,

　　We have this hour a constant will to publish

　　Our daughters' several dowers, that future strife

　　May be prevented now. The princes, France and Burgundy,

　　Great rivals in our youngest daughter's love,

　　Long in our court have made their amorous sojourn,

　　And here are to be answer'd. Tell me, my daughters,--

　　Since now we will divest us both of rule,

　　Interest of territory, cares of state,--

　　Which of you shall we say doth love us most?

　　That we our largest bounty may extend

　　Where nature doth with merit challenge. Goneril,

　　Our eldest-born, speak first.

　　GONERIL

　　Sir, I love you more than words can wield the matter;

　　Dearer than eye-sight, space, and liberty;

　　Beyond what can be valued, rich or rare;

　　No less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour;

　　As much as child e'er loved, or father found;

　　A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable;

　　Beyond all manner of so much I love you.

　　CORDELIA

　　[Aside] What shall Cordelia do?

　　Love, and be silent.

　　LEAR

　　Of all these bounds, even from this line to this,

　　With shadowy forests and with champains rich'd,