King Lear Synopsis
Our story begins with the Earl of Kent and the Earl of Gloucester discussing how King Lear is about to divide his kingdom amongst his three daughters. Gloucester then introduces Kent to his two sons, his rightful son Edgar and his bastard son Edmund, who, although he lays no claim to Gloucester's title, is loved dearly by his father.
In King Lear's castle, we see him preparing to bestow his kingdom onto his daughters. First, he asks them to prove who loves him the most and says he will reward that daughter with the largest share of the kingdom. His two eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan, fawn over him and say they love him more than anything in the world. Lear's youngest and favorite daughter Cordelia refuses to answer the question. Lear insists, and when Cordelia finally answers, she says she loves her father as much as a daughter should love a father, and when she has a husband, half of her love will go to her father and half to her husband. “That lord whose hand must take my plight shall carry half my love with him, half my care and duty.”(Act 1, Scene 1). Enraged by this response, King Lear disowns Cordelia, strips her of her dowry, and gives her section of the kingdom to Goneril and Regan. Cordelia's two suitors are told of her disinheritance, and the Duke of Burgundy withdraws his proposal, but the King of France still wants to marry her. So the two of them leave for France to get married. Once they are alone, Goneril and Regan plot to undermine their father and remove any authority he may still have over the kingdom.
Gloucester's bastard son Edmund laments how bastards are mistreated, and he concocts a plan to take his legitimate brother Edgar down. Edmund writes a letter pretending to be Edgar plotting their father's death. “Fine word, “legitimate!”—Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed and my invention thrive, Edmund the base shall top th' legitimate.” (Act 1, Scene 2). Gloucester enters to find Edmund with the letter and demands to read it; he believes it is really from his son Edgar and becomes distraught.
Goneril becomes irritated by her father's large entourage and demands that Lear cut his entourage from 100 to 50. Lear curses Goneril for her disobedience and decides to go live with Regan. Goneril writes to Regan, warning her of their father's recklessness.
Edmund convinces Edgar he's in danger. “O sir, fly this place .Intelligence is given where you are hid. You have now the good advantage of the night.”(Act 2, Scene 1). Terrified, Edgar flees the castle. But, believing Edgar still wants to kill him, Gloucester exiles Edgar for this treason.
Lear arrives and soon learns Regan is no kinder to him than Goneril. Regan is now demanding that Lear cut his entourage from 100 to 25. Goneril arrives at the castle, and the sisters discuss how Lear may, in fact, need no entourage at all. “What need you five and twenty, ten, or five to follow in a house where twice so many have a command to tend you?” “What need one?” (Act 2, Scene 4). Furious with this proposition, Lear flees the castle into an oncoming storm.
Gloucester receives a letter with sensitive information about an impending French invasion. In confidence, he tells his son Edmund about the letter and his plans to help Lear. Edmund goes to tell The Duke of Cornwall all of this.
Out in the storm, Lear is taking shelter with his fool and with "Poor Tom," who is actually Edgar in disguise. Gloucester finds them and informs Lear that his daughters are planning to kill him and that he will be safe if he goes to Dover.
When Cornwall, Regan, and Goneril hear of Gloucester's treason, Goneril returns home to tell her husband, the Duke of Albany, about the French invasion. Regan and Cornwall interrogate Gloucester and remove his eyes. While being interrogated, Gloucester realizes that Edmund betrayed him and that Edgar was innocent the whole time. “O my follies! Then Edgar was abused. Kind gods, forgive me that, and prosper him!” (Act 3, Scene 7). During the assault, one of Gloucester's servants kills Cornwall. Regan throws Gloucester out of his castle, and his servants bring him to safety. Edgar, who is still disguised as "Poor Tom," finds his blinded father and realizes he has seen the errors of his ways. Gloucester asks "Poor Tom" to lead him to the cliffs of Dover so he can commit suicide.
When The Duke of Albany learns of everything his wife and her sister have done, he is horrified and vows to seek revenge on them.
Both Goneril and Regan are in love with Edmund. They argue over him when Regan intercepts a passionate letter from Goneril to Edmund.
Edgar brings his father to a field and pretends they are on the cliffside. Gloucester prays and repents for his wrongdoings; he goes to jump off the "cliff" and passes out. Edgar wakes Gloucester and tells him that he has survived the fall and that the gods must want him to live. “Therefore, thou happy father, think that the clearest gods, who make them honors of men’s impossibilities, have preserved thee.” (Act 4, Scene 6). Oswald confronts Edgar for helping the traitor Gloucester, and Egar kills Oswald. In Oswald's belongings, Edgar finds the letter Gonerill wrote to Edmund asking him to kill her husband Albany and marry her.
Cordelia learns of her father's state and wants to help. She nurses Lear back to health, and Lear begs her to kill him as punishment, but she refuses. “If you have poison for me, I will drink it. I know you do not love me, for your sisters have, as I do remember, done me wrong. You have some cause; they have not.” (Act 4, Scene 7).
While preparing for war against France, Edgar gives Albany the letter implicating Goneril and Edmund. Once alone, Edmund reveals his plan to sentence Lear and Cordelia to death. After the battle, Regan has fallen ill but insists that she will marry Edmund, which Goneril vehemently opposes. “Witness the world that I create thee here my lord and master.” (Act 5, Scene 3). Albany arrests Edmund and Goneril on charges of treason. A disguised Edgar arrives to challenge Edmund to a duel. Edgar wins the duel but leaves Edmund alive for questioning. Albany confronts Goneril about her love for Edmund, then she flees. Edmund admits to his wrongdoings, and Edgar reveals his true identity. A messenger reports that Goneril has poisoned Regan and stabbed herself. Edmund admits that he has already sentenced Lear and Cordelia to death, so they must hurry to save them. But it is too late; Lear enters, holding Cordelia's corps. “Had I your tongues and eyes, I’d use them so that heaven’s vault should crack. She’s gone forever.” (Act 5, Scene 3). A messenger comes in and reports Edmund is dead. Lear, grief-stricken, dies as well. Albany asks The Earl of Kent and Edgar to rule England with him, but loyal Kent refuses, saying he will follow Lear to his death. The rule of England falls to Albany and Edgar.
Who's Who?
Glossary
Bastard – A child born from unmarried parents. They have no claim to their parent’s political title or their land. Edmund specifically was also conceived as a result of adultery.
Dowry – Money or land given from the parents of a bride to her husband, monetary incentive to marry someone.
Treason – One of the worst crimes of the time period. Going against any of the royalties express wishes. Plotting to undermine the royalty in any way. Gloucester assisting France in their invasion and helping Lear when Goneril and Regan have forbid it.
Written by: Colleen Dougherty
