Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
The aging King Lear resolves to turn his kingdom over to his three daughters, but only if each will tell him how much they love him. This test of eloquence and flattery yields consequences Lear little expects when his favored daughter Cordelia says nothing. Lear angrily disowns her, leaving himself vulnerable to the whims of his two older daughters. Ultimately, King Lear loses everything, including his mind, as he finds himself betrayed by the honeyed words and false promises that seduced him. His reason is shattered in the storm of violent emotion that ensues and King Lear is stripped of all that has defined him as a king. Wandering about in the storm with only his fool to accompany him, King Lear discovers the essence of his own humanity whilst wrestling with his sanity. Cordelia returns with an army to rescue her father and his kingdom, but they lose the battle and Lear, all his daughters and more, tragically die.
Show Information
- Book
- William Shakespeare
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1606
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- a kingdom, sometime in antiquity
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Large Cast, Star Vehicle Male, College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult, Adult, Late Teen Characters
Context
Shakespeare’s King Lear is based on the semi-legendary ancient King Leir of Britain. He is written of in Holinshed’s Chronicles, a source that Shakespeare is known to have used as a resource in writing many of his plays. King Leir is also mentioned in the 12th century Historia Regum Brittaniae, written by Geoffrey of Monmouth. In Monmouth’s account, Leir’s daughter, Cordelia, survives, restores Leir to the throne and succeeds him after her father’s death. Some of the inspiration for
to read the context for King Lear and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
In the courtroom of King Lear, the Earl of Gloucester and the Earl of Kent discuss whether the king favors the Duke of Albany (husband to his eldest daughter, Goneril) or the Duke of Cornwall (husband to his middle daughter, Regan). As they wait for the arrival of their King, Gloucester introduces Kent to his bastard son, Edmund, joking that he had quite a lot of fun when Edmund was made. Gloucester seems a little uncomfortable about Edmund’s colorful background, but insists that
to read the plot for King Lear and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Formally giving up the throne and royal titles.
Lowly
Inspired by Bethlem Hospital, an institution for the mentally ill in London, and generally refers to chaos or unrest.
A type of printing in which four pages of text are printed on one sheet (two per side), and then folded to make four total pages. This was a popular method for printing plays in the Elizabethan period.
Referring to life in England under the reign of King James I, 1603-1625.
A prediction, often used in classical theatre to foreshadow tragic events.
A format of printing in which eight pages of text are printed on a single page (four on each side), and then folded and cut to make eight total book pages. Quartos were popular methods of printing plays in the Elizabethan period.
A speech given by a character that reveals inner thoughts only shared with the audience.
A play that centers around the downfall of the main character through tragic actions and events.
The protagonist, generally someone who is noble or royal, and is brought to a downfall by their own hubris.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
