tragedy

King Lear

c. 1605–1606

An aging king divides his kingdom and learns what love really means — too late.

Start reading — Act 1, Scene 1 →

Scenes

Act 1

1.1 A Room of State in King Lear’s Palace 1.2 A Hall in the Earl of Gloucester’s Castle 1.3 A Room in the Duke of Albany’s Palace 1.4 A Hall in Albany’s Palace 1.5 Court before the Duke of Albany’s Palace

Act 2

2.1 A court within the Castle of the Earl of Gloucester 2.2 Before Gloucester’s Castle 2.3 The open Country 2.4 Before Gloucester’s Castle; Kent in the stocks

Act 3

3.1 A Heath 3.2 Another part of the heath 3.3 A Room in Gloucester’s Castle 3.4 A part of the Heath with a Hovel 3.5 A Room in Gloucester’s Castle 3.6 A Chamber in a Farmhouse adjoining the Castle 3.7 A Room in Gloucester’s Castle

Act 4

4.1 The heath 4.2 Before the Duke of Albany’s Palace 4.3 The French camp near Dover 4.4 The French camp. A Tent 4.5 A Room in Gloucester’s Castle 4.6 The country near Dover 4.7 A Tent in the French Camp

Act 5

5.1 The Camp of the British Forces near Dover 5.2 A field between the two Camps 5.3 The British Camp near Dover

Dramatis personæ

LEAR King of Britain.
GONERIL eldest daughter to Lear.
REGAN second daughter to Lear.
CORDELIA youngest daughter to Lear.
EDGAR elder son to Gloucester.
EDMUND younger bastard son to Gloucester.
OSWALD steward to Goneril.
CURAN a Courtier.
OLD MAN Tenant to Gloucester.