King Lear: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in King Lear, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- LearLear gives his kingdom to daughters whose declarations of love please him.First seen in scene 1
- CordeliaCordelia is Lear's daughter, disowned after refusing to exaggerate her love.First seen in scene 1
- EdmundEdmund is Gloucester's son born outside marriage.First seen in scene 1
- GloucesterGloucester introduces his son Edmund to Kent and explains Edmund's birth outside marriage.First seen in scene 1
- KentKent challenges Lear's rejection of Cordelia and receives banishment.First seen in scene 1
- GonerilGoneril is Lear's daughter, awarded land after declaring extravagant love for him.First seen in scene 1
- ReganRegan gains land through her declaration of love and privately questions Lear's judgment with Goneril.First seen in scene 1
- FranceFrance accepts Cordelia without a dowry after Lear disowns her.First seen in scene 1
- EdgarEdgar is Gloucester's legitimate son, who trusts Edmund and follows his advice.First seen in scene 2
- FoolThe Fool is scolded by a servant whom Lear then hits.First seen in scene 3
- OswaldOswald receives Goneril's orders to reduce attention to Lear and his knights.First seen in scene 3
- AlbanyAlbany questions Goneril's response after her dispute with Lear.First seen in scene 4
- CornwallCornwall visits Gloucester with Regan and offers Edmund service.First seen in scene 6
- Scene 1
Lear divides his kingdom, disowns Cordelia for her plain answer, and banishes Kent for challenging him.
- Scene 2
Edmund uses a false letter to turn Gloucester against Edgar and persuades Edgar to avoid their father.
- Scene 3
Goneril orders Oswald and her servants to neglect Lear and his knights, deliberately seeking a confrontation.
- Scene 4
Kent enters Lear's service in disguise, and Lear leaves after Goneril demands fewer followers.
- Scene 6
Edmund stages a fight, wounds himself, and convinces Gloucester that Edgar plans to murder him.
- Scene 7
Kent attacks Oswald outside Gloucester's castle, and Cornwall orders him into the stocks despite Gloucester's objections.
- Scene 8
Edgar escapes pursuit and decides to disguise himself as the wandering mad beggar Poor Tom.
- Scene 9
Regan supports Goneril's restrictions, and Lear leaves during a storm as Cornwall orders the doors closed.
- Scene 10
Kent tells a Gentleman about political divisions and French troops, then sends him toward Dover with a report.
- Scene 11
Lear challenges the storm, admits his mind is failing, and accepts Kent's help toward shelter.
- Scene 12
Gloucester resolves to help Lear despite threats, while Edmund plans to report his father's actions.
- Scene 13
Lear meets Edgar disguised as Poor Tom, and Gloucester offers shelter against the daughters' commands.
- Scene 14
Edmund presents evidence against Gloucester, and Cornwall declares Edmund Earl of Gloucester and orders his father's arrest.
- Scene 15
Lear stages an imagined trial of his daughters before Gloucester warns of a murder plot and sends him toward Dover.
- Scene 16
Cornwall blinds Gloucester, a servant wounds Cornwall, and Gloucester learns that Edmund has betrayed him.
- Scene 17
Edgar keeps his disguise and agrees to guide his blinded father toward Dover.
- Scene 18
Goneril sends Edmund to command troops, while Albany condemns her cruelty and learns of Cornwall's death.
- Scene 20
Cordelia sends soldiers to find Lear, and a physician recommends sleep to restore his health.
- Scene 21
Regan questions Oswald about Goneril's letter to Edmund and offers advancement to anyone who kills Gloucester.
- Scene 22
Edgar tricks Gloucester into believing he survives a cliff fall, then kills Oswald and discovers Goneril's plot against Albany.
- Scene 23
Lear wakes under Cordelia's care, recognizes her, and asks for forgiveness.
- Scene 24
Edgar secretly gives Albany a letter, while Edmund plans to prevent mercy for Lear and Cordelia.
- Scene 25
Edgar reports Lear's defeat and capture with Cordelia, then urges Gloucester to leave with him.
- Scene 26
Edgar defeats Edmund; Goneril and Regan die, and Lear dies after carrying in Cordelia's body.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- Gloucester’s CastleGloucester's castle is where Kent attacks Oswald and receives punishment in the stocks.First seen in scene 7
- The heathThe heath is where Kent meets a Gentleman during the storm.First seen in scene 10
- DoverDover is the destination for the report Kent entrusts to the Gentleman.First seen in scene 10
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