King Lear, feeling the weight of age, decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. He demands they express how much they love him, and swayed by the flattery of his elder daughters, Goneril and Regan, he grants them his land. However, his youngest daughter, Cordelia, speaks honestly about her love and is misunderstood, leading to her disinheritance. Meanwhile, the Earl of Gloucester’s illegitimate son, Edmund, deceives his father and frames his brother, Edgar, to secure his own position. Lear soon realizes the betrayal of Goneril and Regan, whose coldness and lies plunge him into growing despair. Amid a stormy wilderness, Lear’s inner turmoil and downfall begin to take center stage.

Dramatis Personæ
ACT I
Scene I. A Room of State in King Lear’s Palace
Scene II. A Hall in the Earl of Gloucester’s Castle
Scene III. A Room in the Duke of Albany’s Palace
Scene IV. A Hall in Albany’s Palace
Scene V. Court before the Duke of Albany’s Palace
ACT II
Scene I. A court within the Castle of the Earl of Gloucester
Scene II. Before Gloucester’s Castle
Scene III. The open Country
Scene IV. Before Gloucester’s Castle
ACT III
Scene I. A Heath
Scene II. Another part of the heath
Scene III. A Room in Gloucester’s Castle