The most “tragic” of Shakespeare's tragedies.

King Lear may be the most “tragic” of Shakespeare's tragedies. It is rife with heartbreaking misunderstandings, brutal images, and a sense that redemption is almost impossible and, when achieved, meaningless. For much of the 18th and 19th centuries, productions of the play featured a different ending from the one that Shakespeare intended. In order to protect audiences from Shakespeare's bleak vision, companies performed a fifth act in which Lear was happily restored to his throne, and Cordelia and Edgar—the “good” children—were married. Most of us would be highly reluctant to tamper with Shakespeare's ending now. Imagine, though, that a well-known Hollywood producer is interested in shooting a film version of King Lear and has commissioned you to write a “Hollywood ending” for the play. The producer has specified one thing: in this version, Lear, Cordelia, and Edgar will end up happy; instead, all of the main characters are still alive in Act V must find contentment. Devise an ending that will please this demanding producer. In about a page, sum up what will happen and how the stipulations will be met in your new, “improved” Act V.