William Shakespeare – King Lear | Summary, Themes, Characters

William Shakespeare – King Lear

King Lear (c. 1605–1606) is Shakespeare’s darkest tragedy of power, love, madness, and justice. The aging monarch’s plan to divide his kingdom among his daughters unleashes political chaos and personal ruin. This guide reads smoothly for general audiences while keeping key facts bold for exam use.

About the Work

• Title: King Lear
• Author: William Shakespeare
• Date: c. 1605–1606; first known performance 1606
• Genre: Tragedy
• Sources: Holinshed’s Chronicles; the earlier play King Leir (anonymous); Montaigne (indirectly)
• Setting: Ancient Britain (Lear’s court; heath; Gloucester’s estate; Dover)
• Form: Blank verse and prose; double-plot structure (Lear/Cordelia & Gloucester/Edgar)

Opening Cue

“I thought the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall.” — Kent

Court talk foreshadows factionalism, while Lear prepares a “love test” that will divide Britain.

Key Closing Lines

“The weight of this sad time we must obey;
Speak what we feel, not what we ought to say.” — Edgar

Act-wise Summary

Act I — The Love Test & Banishment

Lear announces he will divide the kingdom among Goneril, Regan, Cordelia based on their declarations of love. Cordelia refuses flattery (“Nothing”), and Lear disinherits her, giving power to the elder sisters. Kent defends Cordelia and is banished. Cordelia marries the King of France. Subplot: Gloucester favors the scheming Edmund over legitimate Edgar.

Act II — Gathering Storm

Goneril and Regan strip Lear of his retinue and dignity. Edmund frames Edgar, who flees disguised later as “Poor Tom”. Tensions rise as Lear heads into the night with the Fool and loyal Kent (in disguise as Caius).

Act III — The Heath & Blindness

On the heath, Lear rages against the storm (“I am a man more sinned against than sinning”). Gloucester helps Lear, but is betrayed; Cornwall and Regan blind Gloucester in a brutal scene. A servant wounds Cornwall, who later dies. Gloucester is led by the disguised Edgar.

Act IV — Dover & Bitter Recognitions

Cordelia returns with the French forces to rescue Lear. Goneril and Regan vie for Edmund; Goneril plots against her husband Albany. Lear and Cordelia reunite. Oswald is killed by Edgar. Regan will soon be poisoned by Goneril.

Act V — Catastrophe

The French lose; Lear and Cordelia are captured. Edgar defeats Edmund in single combat; Edmund reveals his orders to hang Cordelia. Goneril kills herself after poisoning Regan. Cordelia is murdered; Lear dies of grief holding her body. Power passes to Albany and Edgar (with Kent declining the burden).

Themes & Symbols

• Authority & Chaos: Abdication without wisdom invites civil fracture.
• Filial Ingratitude vs True Love: Flattery vs integrity (Goneril/Regan vs Cordelia).
• Nature: Storm mirrors inner turmoil; “natural” bonds twisted by ambition.
• Sight & Blindness: Gloucester’s blinding vs moral insight; Lear’s late recognition.
• Madness & Suffering: The heath scenes probe identity, justice, and mortality.
• Justice: The play questions cosmic fairness (“As flies to wanton boys…”).

Major Characters

• King Lear — tragic king who confuses show with substance.
• Cordelia — truth-speaking daughter; emblem of love and grace.
• Goneril & Regan — power-hungry elder daughters.
• Gloucester — credulous father; blinded; parallel to Lear.
• Edgar — Gloucester’s legitimate son; disguises as Poor Tom; moral survivor.
• Edmund — Machiavellian bastard; drives intrigue.
• Kent — loyal counselor; returns as Caius.
• Fool — truth-teller whose riddling wisdom guides Lear (disappears after Act 3).
• Albany & Cornwall — contrasting dukes (Albany reforms; Cornwall cruel).
• Oswald — Goneril’s steward; killed by Edgar.

Key Lines

• “Nothing will come of nothing.” — Lear
• “I am a man more sinned against than sinning.” — Lear
• “As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods.” — Gloucester
• “The wheel is come full circle.” — Edmund
• “Howl, howl, howl, howl!” — Lear

Critical Pointers

• Double-plot symmetry: Lear/Cordelia mirrors Gloucester/Edgar.
• From pagan Britain to universal questions: law, kinship, and mercy.
• Revision history: the 1608 Quarto and 1623 Folio differ; modern texts often “conflate.”

Quick Revision Table

Aspect	Key Point
Date	c. 1605–1606
Setting	Ancient Britain (heath; Dover; courts)
Structure	Double plot: Lear/Cordelia & Gloucester/Edgar
Villain	Edmund (and the sisters Goneril, Regan)
Symbols	Storm, eyes/blindness, wheel of fortune
Ending	Cordelia hanged; Lear dies; Albany/Edgar left to rule

Continue learning:
→ 50 Important MCQs on King Lear (Click to Reveal Answers)
→ 10-Question King Lear Quiz

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