King Lears Plot Synopsis

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daughters, yet still keep the title "King." Secretly, Goneril and Regan conspire to not allow Lear to exert his title over anything.
Meanwhile, the Earl of Gloucester suffers a similar lapse in judgement. He is easily deceived by his bastard son, Edmund. Edmund draws up a phony letter that implicates the good son, Edgar, in a conspiracy to kill his father. Then, he "accidentally" allows Gloucester to see it. Edmund furthers his evil intentions by lying to Edgar, stating that Gloucester is angry, and advising him to run away. This effectively pits the two against each other and earns Edmund a promotion by his father. Edgar flees into the woods and takes the disguise of a madman named Poor Tom.
Proving his valiant worth, even though he was wronged by Lear, Kent returns in disguise and asks to be Lear's servant. Lear accepts him unknowing of his true identity. It is clear at this point in the play that Lear expects to be treated as a King even though he has no power to back the ...

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accusing Oswald of evil deeds. When Lear finally arrives he is incredulous to find that his man has been placed in the stocks. Lear learns who put Kent there and boldly demands Gloucester to fetch Regan so that he may have a word with her. Regan purposefully denies Lear an audience and after a great delay she arrives. The two get into an argument during which Regan lets Lear know she will not take him in unless he reduce the quantity of his knights. She also demands that he apologize to Goneril for disrespecting her. In a cruel turn of events, Goneril shows up and embraces her sister. The two have made it known that Lear will have no authority for the duration of his life. Lear angrily ...

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