King Lear

Also known as: King / Lear / the King · Family: Lear's kingdom · Role: king · First appears: King Lear · Act I, Scene I

At the beginning of Act I, King Lear divides his kingdom, transferring its cares to younger rulers and granting hereditary thirds to Goneril with Albany and to Regan with Cornwall. He asks his daughters to declare their love, but disowns Cordelia when she refuses to flatter him, declaring her a stranger, and banishes Kent after Kent defends her. He later accepts Kent in disguise as a servant, while Goneril orders Oswald and her household to neglect him and demands that he reduce his retinue; Lear leaves her in anger, then acknowledges, “I did her wrong.”

In Act II, Regan joins Goneril in refusing to house Lear’s followers, and Lear rejects both daughters’ terms, leaving as a storm approaches. He takes shelter with Kent and the Fool, while Gloucester secretly supports him, defies the dukes, and helps carry him toward Dover after uncovering a plot against him. During the storm Lear is shut out by Goneril and Regan, tears off his clothes, and later employs Edgar among his hundred; Gloucester becomes his ally against the daughters and their cruelty.

At Dover, Lear is protected and later refuses to see Cordelia because of shame over disowning her, though Cordelia searches for him and France supports her effort to restore his rights. When Lear awakens, he recognizes Cordelia, asks her to forget and forgive his wrongs, and is reunited with her before they are captured after losing the battle. In prison, Lear and Cordelia remain together until Cordelia dies; mourning her, Lear dies as well. Edmund is his enemy, while Kent remains his friend.