William Shakespeare – King Lear
King Lear (written c. 1605 – 1606) is one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, dramatizing the fall of an aged king who divides his kingdom between flattering daughters and disowns the one who truly loves him. The play explores madness, filial ingratitude, justice, nature, and redemption. Set in ancient Britain, it unfolds through five acts and twenty-six scenes, tracing Lear’s journey from pride to despair and finally to tragic recognition.
Act I – Division, Flattery and Foolishness (5 Scenes)
Scene 1 – Lear’s Love Test
Lear, the ageing king of Britain, decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters—Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia—based on how eloquently they profess their love for him. Goneril and Regan flatter him extravagantly; Cordelia answers honestly: “Nothing, my lord.” In anger, Lear disowns Cordelia and banishes the loyal Kent who defends her. The King of France marries Cordelia, admiring her honesty. Lear divides his realm between Goneril and Regan, planting the seeds of ruin.
Scene 2 – Edmund’s Deception
At Gloucester’s castle, Edmund plots to usurp his legitimate brother Edgar. He forges a letter suggesting Edgar plans patricide. Gloucester believes the lie, beginning the parallel plot that mirrors Lear’s tragedy of misplaced trust.
Scene 3 – Goneril’s Discontent
Lear stays with Goneril, attended by a retinue of knights. Her steward Oswald insults him; Lear strikes Oswald. Goneril scolds Lear for his behaviour, demanding he reduce his followers. Lear curses her with barrenness and departs for Regan’s house, swearing vengeance.
Scene 4 – Kent Disguised / Lear and the Fool
Banished Kent returns disguised as Caius to serve Lear loyally. Lear’s Fool mocks the king’s folly in giving away power: “Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise.”
Scene 5 – Foreboding Madness
On the road to Regan’s, Lear senses betrayal: “O let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven!” This foreshadows his psychological unraveling.
Act II – Plots and Punishments (4 Scenes)
Scene 1 – Edmund’s Treachery Deepens
Edmund wounds himself to appear victim of Edgar’s “attack.” Gloucester declares Edgar an outlaw. The illegitimate son’s deceit wins him power, echoing the triumph of appearance over truth.
Scene 2 – Kent in the Stocks
At Regan’s castle, Kent quarrels with Oswald and is placed in the stocks as punishment—an outrage to royal dignity. Lear arrives to find his servant humiliated, symbolizing the collapse of authority.
Scene 3 – Edgar Disguises as Poor Tom
To escape capture, Edgar disguises himself as “Poor Tom o’ Bedlam,” a mad beggar—anticipating Lear’s own madness.
Scene 4 – Lear Denied Shelter
Lear seeks refuge with Regan and Cornwall. Instead of comfort, they side with Goneril and strip him of his knights. Lear’s fury erupts: “I will have such revenges on you both!” Driven into the storm, he confronts the chaos within and without.
Act III – The Storm and the Madness (7 Scenes)
Scene 1 – Kent and the Gentleman
Kent learns that the French army (with Cordelia) has landed to aid Lear. He sends messages to Cordelia, showing loyalty amid disloyalty.
Scene 2 – Lear on the Heath
Amid thunder, Lear rages against the storm: “Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow!” He stands bareheaded, a king stripped of all pretence. The storm externalizes his inner turmoil.
Scene 3 – Gloucester’s Compassion
Gloucester resolves to aid the wandering king despite the risk. His pity contrasts his earlier gullibility.
Scene 4 – The Hovel Scene
Lear, the Fool, and Kent find shelter. They encounter Poor Tom (Edgar). Lear recognizes his shared humanity: “Is man no more than this?” He begins to learn humility and empathy.
Scene 5 – Edmund’s Betrayal
Edmund betrays Gloucester to Cornwall for assisting Lear. His hypocrisy secures him the title of Earl of Gloucester.
Scene 6 – Lear’s Mock Trial
In a shelter, the half-mad Lear stages a mock trial of his daughters with the Fool and Edgar as judges—an ironic reflection of mad justice.
Scene 7 – Gloucester Blinded
Cornwall and Regan capture Gloucester, accuse him of treason, and gouge out his eyes. A servant kills Cornwall in outrage. The blinded Gloucester laments, “I stumbled when I saw.” Literal blindness parallels moral insight.
Act IV – Recognition and Redemption (7 Scenes)
Scene 1 – Gloucester and Edgar Meet
Gloucester, blind and despairing, is guided by the disguised Edgar. Their path mirrors Lear’s spiritual journey from ignorance to understanding.
Scene 2 – Goneril and Edmund
Goneril becomes infatuated with Edmund, plotting against her husband Albany. The theme of lust for power deepens.
Scene 3 – Cordelia in France
Cordelia, moved by pity, prepares to rescue her father. She prays for his restoration—symbolizing divine compassion.
Scene 4 – Cordelia Learns of His Madness
News of Lear’s pitiable state reaches Cordelia. She commands medical care: “O thou good Kent, how shall I live and work to make him love me!”
Scene 5 – Regan Suspects Goneril
Regan grows jealous of her sister’s relationship with Edmund. The sisters’ rivalry hastens their downfall.
Scene 6 – The Cliff of Dover
Gloucester wishes to end his life at Dover. Edgar, still disguised, prevents suicide by tricking him into moral awakening. Meanwhile, Lear re-enters, crowned with weeds, raving but wise in madness: “A man may see how this world goes with no eyes.”
Scene 7 – Lear and Cordelia Reunited
Cordelia’s army finds Lear asleep in a tent. Upon waking, he kneels to her: “Pray you now, forget and forgive: I am old and foolish.” Their reconciliation marks spiritual restoration.
Act V – Defeat and Desolation (3 Scenes)
Scene 1 – Rivalries Before Battle
Edmund manipulates both Goneril and Regan while preparing for battle against Cordelia’s French forces. Albany suspects treachery, foreshadowing justice.
Scene 2 – The Battle of Dover
Lear and Cordelia are captured. Lear rejoices simply to be with her in prison: “We two alone will sing like birds i’ the cage.”
Scene 3 – Tragic Resolution and Lear’s Death
Albany exposes Edmund’s betrayal; Edgar (still disguised) challenges and mortally wounds him. Goneril poisons Regan, then kills herself. Edmund repents too late, trying to save Cordelia, but she is hanged. Lear enters carrying her body and dies crying, “Look on her! Look, her lips! Look there, look there!” Albany and Edgar vow to restore order, but the world remains broken.
Major Themes and Motifs
- Filial Ingratitude: Goneril and Regan’s cruelty contrasts Cordelia’s loyalty.
- Authority and Madness: Lear’s descent mirrors moral disorder in the realm.
- Appearance vs Reality: Edmund’s deceit, the Fool’s wisdom, and Edgar’s disguise expose illusion.
- Nature and Justice: The storm, blindness, and suffering reflect cosmic moral balance.
- Redemption through Suffering: Both Lear and Gloucester achieve insight through pain.
Key Characters
- King Lear: Proud, rash, tragic father who learns wisdom through madness.
- Cordelia: Youngest daughter; symbol of truth and compassion.
- Goneril and Regan: Hypocritical elder daughters; embodiments of greed and cruelty.
- Gloucester: Parallel father; blinded yet enlightened.
- Edgar: Virtuous son who redeems his father.
- Edmund: Ambitious bastard; symbolizes Machiavellian deceit.
- Kent: Loyal servant of integrity.
- The Fool: Truth-teller; voice of conscience.
Quick Revision Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Composition | c. 1605 – 1606 |
| Genre | Tragedy |
| Acts & Scenes | 5 Acts, 26 Scenes |
| Setting | Ancient Britain |
| Major Symbols | Storm, Crown, Blindness, Fool’s motifs, Nature |
| Key Themes | Madness, Authority, Justice, Filial Ingratitude, Redemption |
| Famous Lines | “Nothing will come of nothing.” / “O let me not be mad.” / “Howl, howl, howl!” |
| Ending | Lear dies holding Cordelia; Edgar and Albany restore order. |
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