King Lear

Content

• Origin
• Characters
• Plot

-Act I

-Act II

-Act III

-Act IV

-Act V

• Themes

Origin

Shakespeare's rather infamous tragedy "King Lear" has presumably been written between 1603 and 1606. It bases on a legend dealing with the acutal King Lear, who was said to have reigned in Britain 800 years BC and his three daughters. The legend was famous in Elizabethan times. After the play didn't draw as many spectators as other Shakespeare tragedys he editet it and gave it a happy ending, which increased it's popularity.

Characters

• King Lear
• Goneril (King's daughter)
• Regan (King's daughter)
• Cordelia (King's daughter)
• Earl Gloucester
• Edmund (Earl's illegitimate son)
• Edgar (Earl's son)
• Cornwall (Regan's husband)
• Albany (Goneril's husband)
• Kent
• Fool (Earl's jester)
• Oswald

Plot - Act I

The old King Lear wants to divide his kingdom into three pieces, each for one of his daughters. The daughter who performs the act that show the most love is promised to receive the greatest part of his territory. Goneril and Regan, his two oldest children declare to love him more than the other sisters, hoping to win his trust and to gain the biggest part. The youngest daughter, Cordelia, refuses to make great promises to her beloved father, convinced that her true love will win over her sisters false words. Lear doesn't recognise Cordelias plan, which results in him getting outraged about her behaviour and denies to give her a part. The kingdom gets split up in two shares, for Goneril and Regan.

The King of France, who is currently visiting King Lear, realizes that Cordelia is the only honest daughter, and takes her home to France with him, planning to make her his queen.

Gloucesters illegitimate son Edmund is fed up with the way society treats bastards like him. He plans a scheme against his brother legitimate brother Edgar, and therefore convinces their father that he was planned to be killed by Edgar. His father believes him,

King Lear, spending time at Gonerils castle, and his men find out that Gonerils servants don't obey his commands. Lear questions that, which leads to Goneril opening up to him about sending his servants away, because they misbehaved. Lear is outraged about his daughters transformation that he angrily leaves her castle, fleeing to Regan. He believes that she at least is a loyal and loving daughter.

Plot - Act II

In Gloucesters castle, Edmund continues his scheme against his brother, fake fighting him and hurting hisself on purpose. He later explains to his father that Edgar hurt him because Edmund did not want to join him in a plot against their father. Once again, Gloucester believes his illegitimate son, and even their visitors Regan and her husband Cornwell are convinced of Edgars fault.