Greek character tense and strained (4)

I believe the answer is:

lear

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'greek character' is the definition.
'lear' can be an answer for 'character' (I have seen 'Tragic character' mean 'lear' so perhaps 'character' could also mean 'lear'). I am unsure of the 'greek' bit.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lear that I've seen before include "Tragic king in play" , "Tragic Shakespearian king" , "The Bard's foolish king" , "Shakespear's king" , "Tragic Shakepearean king, for real" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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