King Lear : Summary

King Lear Details Summary

Act – 1

Scene 1: The play begins in King Lear’s court. We see Kent and Gloucester discussing Lear’s plan to divide his kingdom. Lear wants to give his kingdom to his three daughters. During the conversation, Gloucester introduces his illegitimate son Edmund to Kent, stating that he loves him just as much as his legitimate son Edgar.

Next, Lear enters with his three daughters—Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia—and their attendants. Lear instructs Gloucester to bring in Cordelia’s suitors. Lear announces that he will give up his power and divide the kingdom among his daughters so that he can retire and live in peace.

Lear then asks his daughters to declare their love for him publicly. Goneril and Regan flatter Lear with exaggerated declarations of love, and each receives one-third of the kingdom. Cordelia, the youngest and most honest, refuses to flatter him and simply says that she loves him as a daughter should. Angry at her honesty, Lear disinherits Cordelia, even though she is the most loyal.

Kent, a faithful servant, speaks in Cordelia’s defense, but Lear, in his rage, banishes him. Meanwhile, Cordelia’s suitors, the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy, arrive. Burgundy withdraws his proposal since Cordelia now has no dowry, but the King of France marries her, saying he values her for her honesty.

Before leaving, Cordelia asks her two sisters to care for their father, but they rudely dismiss her. They tell her to serve her husband. After Cordelia departs, Goneril and Regan discuss their father’s old age and criticize his decisions. They conclude that he is no longer fit to rule.

 

Act 1, Scene 2: Edmund, Gloucester’s illegitimate son, appears alone and expresses his frustration. He resents the rules of society that label him as inferior. He mocks these rules and vows to follow nature’s laws from now on. He forges a letter to make it look like his brother Edgar is plotting to take Gloucester’s wealth and power.

When Gloucester returns from court, Edmund pretends to hide the letter suspiciously. Gloucester insists on seeing it, and after reading it, he quickly believes that Edgar is plotting against him. Edmund sets up a plan to speak with Edgar while Gloucester secretly watches. Worried about the strange events happening in the sky (such as an eclipse), Gloucester believes these are signs of bad fortune.

After Gloucester leaves, Edmund mocks his father’s belief in astrology. When Edgar arrives, Edmund tricks him into thinking Gloucester is angry with him. He advises Edgar to hide and arm himself for protection. Once Edgar leaves, Edmund laughs to himself, knowing it will be easy to deceive both his father and brother.

 

Act 1, Scene 3: Goneril complains to her servant Oswald about how poorly her father and his Fool and knights are behaving in her palace. She is irritated by the disorder they are causing. Goneril instructs Oswald to tell Lear that she is unwell and will not see him. She also orders her servants to treat Lear coldly so that he feels uncomfortable staying there.

Goneril has no respect for her father and plans to use her new political power to control him. If Lear doesn’t like it, she confidently tells Oswald that he can go stay with Regan (who shares the same feelings about their father). Ultimately, Goneril believes that men like Lear should be controlled with firmness, not praise.

 

Act 1, Scene 4: Despite being banished, Kent returns in disguise under the name “Caius” to remain close to Lear. Not recognizing him, Lear accepts Kent into his service. Oswald, Goneril’s servant, treats Lear disrespectfully, which angers Lear. He calls for Oswald, but Oswald ignores him. Lear and Kent discuss the poor treatment they are receiving. When Oswald returns and speaks rudely again, Lear strikes him, and Kent throws him down.

The Fool enters and humorously mocks Lear’s foolishness for trusting his daughters and giving away his power. The Fool tells Lear that he now has nothing left since he handed over his kingdom and title. Lear is troubled, but the Fool continues teasing him.

Goneril enters and complains about Lear’s disruptive behavior and the disorder caused by his knights. She demands that he reduce the number of his followers. Angrily, Lear curses Goneril and decides to leave for Regan’s, hoping she will treat him better. Albany criticizes Goneril for treating her father poorly, but Goneril ignores his concern. She writes a letter to Regan, warning her about their father.

 

Act 1, Scene 5: Lear, Kent (in disguise as Caius), and the Fool enter the scene. Lear tells Kent about what happened with Goneril and how her ingratitude hurt him. He asks Kent to deliver a letter to Regan, hoping she will treat him kindly. Kent assures Lear that he will deliver the letter quickly and leaves for Regan’s.

The Fool warns Lear that Regan will treat him just like Goneril. He compares the two sisters to crabs. Still hurt by Goneril’s betrayal, Lear fears he might lose his sanity. The Fool continues to make sharp comments about Lear’s situation, saying that Lear acted foolishly. Lear prays to the heavens, asking them to protect him from madness, as he feels he cannot bear the pain of losing his power and identity.

 

Act – 2

Act – 2, Scene 1: Edmund and Curran (a servant) discuss the growing tension between Albany and Cornwall. Edmund sees this as a chance to act against his brother Edgar. When Edgar arrives, Edmund warns him that Gloucester is looking for him and suggests that Edgar flee.

They stage a fake fight, and after Edgar runs away, Edmund injures himself to make it look like he defended Gloucester. When Gloucester arrives, Edmund lies and says that Edgar was plotting to kill him. Furious, Gloucester disowns Edgar and names Edmund as his heir.

Cornwall and Regan enter, and Gloucester tells them about Edgar’s supposed betrayal. Cornwall praises Edmund and offers him a position in his service. Regan mentions that they’ve come to Gloucester’s castle to seek advice about the conflict between her father and her sister.

 

Act 2, Scene 2: Disguised as Caius, Kent arrives at Gloucester’s castle. While waiting for a reply to Lear’s letter, he meets Oswald, and they begin to argue. Kent insults Oswald and then attacks him. Hearing the noise, Edmund, Cornwall, Regan, and Gloucester enter. Oswald claims that Kent started the fight, and Cornwall decides to punish Kent. He orders Kent to be put in the stocks until noon. Regan, however, increases the punishment to last until the next morning, despite Gloucester’s concern that it might offend King Lear.

After they leave, Kent remains in the stocks. He takes out a letter from Cordelia, in which she promises to help Lear and restore order in England.

 

Act 2, Scene 3: Edgar, fleeing from Gloucester’s men, appears on stage. Gloucester has declared him a criminal, and now he has nowhere to hide. Edgar decides to disguise himself as a mad beggar from Bedlam (a famous asylum). To complete the disguise, he covers his face with mud, tangles his hair, and nearly strips off all his clothes. He abandons his old identity, saying, “Edgar I nothing am.” This way, he hopes to survive and avoid capture.

 

Act 2, Scene 4: Lear arrives at Gloucester’s castle and is shocked to find Kent in the stocks. He asks who is responsible, and Kent says that Regan and Cornwall are to blame. Lear angrily goes inside to look for them.

When he returns, Gloucester informs Lear that Regan and Cornwall refuse to meet him. A while later, they come out and release Kent, but instead of defending Lear, Regan suggests that Lear go back and apologize to Goneril. Lear, stunned, refuses and declares that he will never return to Goneril.

Oswald and Goneril then arrive, and the two sisters tell Lear that he doesn’t need one hundred knights. Regan says he only needs twenty-five, while Goneril questions why he needs any at all. Feeling wholly betrayed, Lear curses his daughters and begins to lose control. He rushes into the storm, and Regan and Goneril agree to offer him shelter without his knights.

 

Act – 3

Act 3, Scene 1: In the storm, Kent meets a gentleman. The gentleman tells him that Lear is out in the storm with only his Fool. Even wild animals are taking shelter, but Lear, mad with grief over his daughters’ betrayal, roams aimlessly in the storm.

Kent reveals that tension is growing between Albany and Cornwall, and France is sending troops to take advantage of the chaos in England. Kent sends the gentleman to Dover with a report on Lear’s condition. He gives the gentleman a ring to show Cordelia that the message is from him. They agree to search for Lear and let each other know when they find him.

 

Act 3, Scene 2: Lear, out in the storm, curses nature and his ungrateful daughters. He calls on the storm to destroy everything, wiping out all deceit and falsehood. The Fool urges Lear to find shelter and make peace with his daughters, but Lear refuses.

Kent arrives and finds them in the storm. He persuades Lear to take shelter in a nearby hovel. Though Lear continues to rage against the storm, he finally agrees and follows Kent. The Fool remains behind and gives a prophetic speech, predicting that England will fall into complete chaos.

 

Act 3, Scene 3: At Gloucester’s castle, Gloucester confides in Edmund that he worries about how Goneril and Regan treat Lear. He also mentions the growing tension between Albany and Cornwall. Gloucester reveals that he has received a secret letter saying that foreign forces have landed in England to restore Lear’s power. Gloucester plans to help Lear and asks Edmund to keep Cornwall distracted.

After Gloucester leaves, Edmund reveals his plan to betray his father. He will tell Cornwall about Gloucester’s intention to help Lear in exchange for inheriting his father’s estate.

 

Act 3, Scene 4: Lear, Kent, and the Fool reach the hovel in the storm. Lear refuses to go inside, saying the storm inside his mind is worse than the storm outside. He regrets never thinking about the suffering of the poor and realizes that influential people should be more generous and aware of others’ struggles.

The Fool rushes into the hovel and finds Edgar, disguised as “Poor Tom,” a mad beggar. Edgar speaks in riddles, pretending to be possessed by demons. Lear, now mad himself, sympathizes with Poor Tom and believes that his daughters must have betrayed him too. Lear feels he is becoming like Edgar, stripped down to nothing.

Gloucester arrives with a torch, but he doesn’t recognize Edgar. Though not knowing their identities, he takes Lear, Kent, the Fool, and Edgar to a better shelter.

 

Act 3, Scene 5: At Gloucester’s castle, Cornwall and Edmund discuss Gloucester’s supposed betrayal. Edmund presents a letter proving that Gloucester has been in contact with France, which is planning an invasion. Pretending to be conflicted about betraying his father, Edmund is reassured by Cornwall, who promises to make Edmund the new Earl. Cornwall declares that Edmund will now be his “dearer father,” marking Edmund’s complete break from Gloucester.

 

Act 3, Scene 6: At the shelter, Kent reveals that Lear has gone completely mad. Lear, along with the Fool and Edgar (still pretending to be Poor Tom), stages a mock trial for his daughters Goneril and Regan, whom he calls foxes. In his madness, Lear imagines them standing trial for their cruelty. While this happens, Kent tries to calm Lear and convince him to rest, while Edgar watches and struggles to hold back his tears.

Gloucester returns and informs Kent that there is a plot to kill Lear. He arranges for them to secretly take Lear to Dover. Kent leaves with Lear while Edgar remains behind. He reflects on the tragic similarity between Lear’s relationship with his daughters and his own relationship with Gloucester.

 

Act 3, Scene 7: At Gloucester’s castle, Cornwall, Regan, Goneril, and Edmund discuss the French invasion. Cornwall sends Edmund away, saying it would be too painful for a son to witness what is about to happen to his father. Oswald reports that Gloucester has helped Lear escape to Dover.

When Gloucester is brought in, Cornwall and Regan accuse him of treason for helping Lear. Gloucester admits to helping Lear because he couldn’t bear his daughters’ cruelty. In response, Cornwall ties Gloucester up and gouges out one of his eyes. A servant tries to stop him, and a fight breaks out, where Cornwall is fatally injured. Regan kills the servant and gouges out Gloucester’s second eye.

Blinded and in pain, Gloucester calls for Edmund, but Regan cruelly reveals that Edmund has betrayed him. Devastated, Gloucester realizes the truth and prays for Edgar’s safety. Regan and Cornwall leave, and the remaining servants express their disgust at the cruelty they have witnessed. They decide to help Gloucester by treating his wounds and leading him to safety with Edgar.

Act – 4

Act 4, Scene 1: Edgar (still disguised as Poor Tom) reflects that when a person hits rock bottom, the only way is up. His thoughts change, however, when he sees his blind father Gloucester being led by an old man. Gloucester is in despair and wants to die. He regrets how he treated Edgar and says that seeing him again would be like regaining his lost sight.

Unaware of Edgar’s true identity, Gloucester orders the old man to bring clothes for Poor Tom. Gloucester gives Poor Tom money and asks him to lead him to the cliffs of Dover, where he plans to commit suicide. He believes that the gods treat humans like flies, killing them for sport.

 

Act 4, Scene 2: Goneril and Edmund arrive at Goneril’s palace, where Oswald informs them that Albany’s behavior has changed. Now, Albany is happy when he hears bad news and upset when he hears good news. Goneril sees her husband as weak and kisses Edmund, revealing her desire for him.

Edmund promises to support Goneril and leaves. Goneril laments being tied to a “fool” like Albany.

Albany enters and scolds Goneril for her cruel treatment of Lear, calling her and Regan “tigers, not daughters.” Goneril ignores him, but Albany continues his rebuke, calling her a devil. During their argument, a servant enters and reports that Cornwall has died after gouging out Gloucester’s eyes. Hearing this, Albany sees Cornwall’s death as proof of divine justice.

However, Goneril is more concerned that Regan, now a widow, will pursue Edmund. She leaves to answer a letter from Regan, while Albany vows to take revenge for Gloucester’s blinding and restore justice.

 

Act 4, Scene 3: In the French camp, Kent talks with a gentleman about Cordelia’s reaction to receiving his letter. The gentleman explains that Cordelia was deeply upset when she read it. She felt compassion for her father and anger toward her sisters. Kent believes that the great differences between Cordelia and her sisters are the result of fate or the stars.

Kent then explains that Lear is also in the camp, but he refuses to see Cordelia because he is ashamed of how he treated her. Lear regrets giving Goneril and Regan what rightfully belonged to Cordelia. Kent tells the gentleman that Lear is sometimes clear-headed but is still tormented by the wrong decisions he made in the past. They plan to meet with Lear, and Kent mentions that he must remain in disguise for a little longer.

 

Act 4, Scene 4: Cordelia sends a group of soldiers to search for her mad father, Lear, with a doctor and gentleman accompanying them. She declares that whoever helps restore Lear to health will be rewarded. The doctor advises that rest is the best remedy for Lear’s madness.

As they discuss Lear’s condition, a messenger arrives with news that Cornwall’s and Albany’s armies are approaching. Cordelia explains that the French invasion is not for political gain, but out of love for her father. She wants to restore him to his rightful position.

 

Act 4, Scene 5: At Gloucester’s palace, Regan questions Oswald about Goneril and Edmund. Regan reveals that Edmund has gone to kill Gloucester because Gloucester’s suffering is causing unrest among the people, turning them against the British forces. Regan tries to convince Oswald to read the letter Goneril sent to Edmund, but Oswald refuses.

Regan says that now her husband Cornwall is dead, it would be best if Edmund married her. She sends Oswald to deliver a message to Goneril, expressing her desire to marry Edmund. Before Oswald leaves, Regan tells him that anyone who kills Gloucester will be rewarded. Oswald promises that if he encounters Gloucester, he will kill him.

 

Act 4, Scene 6: Disguised as a peasant, Edgar leads his blind father, Gloucester, to what Gloucester believes is the edge of a steep cliff. In reality, they are on flat ground. Edgar gives a detailed description of the imaginary cliff, and Gloucester, believing it to be real, prepares to jump. He gives Edgar a valuable jewel and tells him to leave him alone. Gloucester then “falls” and loses consciousness.

Now disguised as a different character, Edgar approaches his father and pretends to be a stranger who saw him fall. He convinces Gloucester that he survived the fall as a miracle. Gloucester believes this and decides to live, accepting his fate.

While they talk, a mad Lear enters. Gloucester recognizes Lear’s voice and asks to kiss the king’s hand. Cordelia’s men arrive and try to take Lear to her, but he runs away. Oswald then enters and attempts to kill Gloucester, but Edgar stops him and kills Oswald. Before dying, Oswald gives Edgar Goneril’s letters to Edmund. Edgar reads them and discovers that Goneril wants Edmund to kill Albany so they can marry. Edgar decides to inform Albany of this.

 

Act 4, Scene 7: At the French camp, Cordelia thanks Kent for his loyalty and asks him to reveal his true identity, but Kent insists that he must remain in disguise a little longer. Cordelia then asks the doctor about her father’s condition. The doctor replies that Lear is sleeping. Cordelia prays to the gods to heal her father’s “abused nature.” She is shocked by her sisters’ cruelty and says that even to a dog, she would not behave as they would to their father.

The doctor uses music to wake Lear. Lear is confused and unsure whether he is alive or dead. Slowly, he recognizes Cordelia. Overwhelmed by guilt, Lear begs her for forgiveness, admitting that he was “old and foolish.” Cordelia reassures him, and they leave together.

Kent and the gentleman remain on stage. They discuss the ongoing war, noting that Edmund is leading the British forces. Kent reflects that the time has come to test his disguise and mission, as the conflict is now reaching its final stage.

 

Act 5, Scene 1: In the British camp, Edmund and Regan prepare their army. As they prepare for battle, Regan begins questioning Edmund about his relationship with Goneril. Edmund assures her that there is nothing to worry about. However, when Goneril enters with Albany, she silently vows that, even if they lose the war, she will not let Regan have Edmund.

Although Albany is still angry at Goneril and Regan for their treatment of Lear and Gloucester, he agrees to fight with them against the French. Edgar, still in disguise, approaches Albany and gives him the letter from Oswald, revealing Goneril’s plan to have Edmund kill Albany so they can marry. Edgar tells Albany to blow a horn if they win the battle, and he will reveal more information.

Alone, Edmund wonders which sister would better match him, but he decides to focus on the war first. He also reveals that if they win, he will go against Albany’s orders and have Lear and Cordelia executed.

 

Act 5, Scene 2: As the battle begins, Edgar leads his blind father, Gloucester, to a tree for shelter. He promises to return with good news. Edgar leaves, and shortly afterwards, the sounds of defeat are heard. Edgar returns and informs Gloucester that the French army has been defeated and Lear and Cordelia have been captured. Gloucester falls into despair and wishes to die, but Edgar encourages him to hold on a little longer and leads him away.

 

Act 5, Scene 3: In this final scene, everything in “King Lear” falls apart. Edmund sends Lear and Cordelia to prison. Lear, oddly content, is happy because he will be with Cordelia again. He imagines that they will laugh and tell stories in jail together. But Edmund secretly orders their execution.

Albany, Goneril, Regan, and Edmund then meet. Albany demands that Lear and Cordelia be brought to safety, but Edmund has already sent them to prison. Meanwhile, Goneril and Regan begin to argue over who will marry Edmund. Regan suddenly feels ill, and it is soon revealed that Goneril has poisoned her out of jealousy. Albany accuses Edmund of treason and challenges him to a duel.

Edgar enters in disguise and challenges Edmund to a fight. Edgar wins and reveals his true identity. He explains how he has cared for their father, Gloucester, and delivers the sad news that Gloucester has died, overcome by the shock of hearing that Edgar is still alive. A servant enters with a bloody knife, announcing that Goneril has killed herself after confessing to poisoning Regan.

Kent arrives, and before dying, Edmund attempts to redeem himself by canceling the order to execute Cordelia and Lear. But it is too late.

Lear enters, carrying Cordelia’s dead body. Heartbroken, he blames himself for her death. Lear speaks to Cordelia, hoping she is still alive but not. Lear then reveals that his Fool has also been killed. Soon after, Lear dies of grief. Albany tells Kent and Edgar that they should rule the kingdom together. However, Kent declines, saying he will quickly follow Lear in death. Edgar reflects on the tragic outcome of all that has happened.