King Lear

King Lear is a drama written by William Shakespeare during the early 17th century.

James T. Kirk once quoted from King Lear, after telling Kukulkan that his assistance to mankind was not required, by stating the lines from Act I scene IV: "How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is / To have a thankless child!"

A copy of King Lear was among the small collection of books in Khan Noonien Singh's possession on Ceti Alpha V, salvaged from the SS Botany Bay, in 2285. 

Background Information
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine star Avery Brooks has often played the title role in productions of the play by the.

In 2002, Star Trek: The Next Generation star Patrick Stewart portrayed Lear in a modernized TV movie adaptation of the play, entitled King of Texas, which also featured Colm Meaney and Richard Lineback. Stewart (alonside his wife, Wendy Neuss) also served as executive producer on the project.

Early drafts of had Picard distract Data in the Federation mission scoutship by quoting from King Lear. It was Patrick Stewart who suggested using Gilbert and Sullivan instead. (Fade In: The Writing of Star Trek: Insurrection)