Plot Summary (Leaving Cert English): Revision Notes
Plot Summary
In "King Lear," the tragedy begins with the aged King Lear deciding to retire and divide his kingdom among his three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. He asks them to declare their love for him, rewarding Goneril and Regan for their flattery and disowning Cordelia for her honesty. This irrational act leads Lear to banish Kent, a loyal nobleman when he protests. Cordelia marries the King of France and leaves England.
Meanwhile, Gloucester's illegitimate son, Edmund, schemes to usurp his legitimate brother, Edgar. Edmund convinces Gloucester that Edgar is plotting against him, forcing Edgar to flee and disguise himself as a mad beggar named "Poor Tom." Lear, now homeless and accompanied by his Fool and disguised Kent, seeks refuge with Regan after being kicked out by Goneril. Regan and her husband, Cornwall, reject Lear, driving him into a storm where he descends into madness. Gloucester attempts to help Lear but is betrayed by Edmund, leading to Gloucester's capture and blinding by Cornwall.
As Gloucester wanders blind, he is unknowingly aided by Edgar. Lear reunites with Cordelia in Dover, where she has brought a French army to rescue him.
However, they are defeated by Regan and Goneril's forces, and both Lear and Cordelia are captured.
Goneril and Regan's rivalry over Edmund leads to Regan's poisoning by Goneril and Goneril's subsequent suicide. Edmund is mortally wounded in a duel with Edgar, who reveals his identity to Gloucester before he dies of shock.
In a final tragic twist, Edmund's last act is to order the execution of Lear and Cordelia. Though efforts are made to save them, Cordelia is hanged, and Lear, overwhelmed by grief, dies holding her body. The play ends in devastation, with the kingdom in chaos and the surviving characters too broken to restore order.
- The Fool: Hanged offstage.
- Servant: Stabbed by Regan.
- Cornwall: Stabbed by his servant.
- Regan: Poisoned by Goneril.
- Gloucester: Dies from shock.
- Oswald: Killed by Edgar.
- Goneril: Stabs herself.
- Edmund: Stabbed by Edgar.
- Captain: Hangs Cordelia, killed by Lear.
- Cordelia: Hanged by Edmund's order.
- Lear: Dies of a broken heart.
- Kent: Plans to commit suicide.
- Albany: Lives.
