Plot overview
Act 1
King Lear is dividing up his land to give away to his daughters Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. Goneril and Regan win over their father's heart with flattery and deceitful compliments. However, Cordelia, the youngest and the favorite of the three, does not attempt to put her love for her father into words. Cordelia's refusal to explain her love to her father angers him, and he banishes her and disowns her. The Duke of France, however, accepts her as queen of his kingdom and asks her to live with him in France. King Lear also banishes his servant Kent for disagreeing with him about banishing Cordelia. Meanwhile, the Earl of Gloucester has a son named Edmund who strongly desires his father's love. He envies his brother Edgar since Edmund is considered a "bastard child." He plans to turn Gloucester against Edgar, similar to how Goneril and Regan plotted Cordelia's exile.
Act 2
Edmund lies to Gloucester by telling him that Edgar plans to kill him. Afterwards, Edmund tells Edgar to run away since Gloucester has supposedly no longer wants him there. Meanwhile, Kent in disguise witnesses Goneril and Regan plotting to overthrow the king. Kent then receives a letter from Cordelia stating that she will return to help her father fend off Goneril and Regan. Edgar disguises himself as Tom o'bedlam, a homeless person, and runs away from Gloucestershire. King Lear arrives at Gloucestershire demanding to speak with Regan and the Duke of Cornwall. They appear later and Goneril arrives with Regan,forcing King Lear to be at his daughters' mercy. Lear begins to lose his mind and flees from the castle.
Act 3
King Lear goes on a rampage about Goneril and Regan betraying him in the midst of lightning and thunder. Kent in disguise tells Lear to find shelter. They stay in the same shelter as Edgar in disguise and a Fool. King Lear believes "tom o'bedlam" is not wealthy because of greedy daughters as well and tries to relate with Edgar since he feels alone. Edmund joins forces with Goneril and Regan. Gloucester opposes Regan and the Duke of Cornwall while Edmund is absent and has his eyes ripped out and is left blind to travel on his own.
Act 4
Edgar in disguise sees his father traveling blind and is devastated. He decides to help lead Gloucester but does not reveal who he truly is. Goneril falls in love with edmund and promises to let him reign over Britain with her instead of the Duke of Albany. The Duke of Albany neglects her and is perceived as a weak ruler. King Lear refuses to speak to Cordelia even though he banished her because he is ashamed of what he has done to her. Cordelia arrives to search for her father and hears about the British army arriving. Regan discovers that Goneril is in love with Edmund and is enraged because she loves him too. She also asks Oswald to murder Gloucester for a reward. Oswald finds Gloucester with Edgar in disguise and attempts to kill them but Edgar defends his father and wins.
act 5
Edmund plans to kill Cordelia and Lear along with Albany. Lear and Cordelia are taken captive and Edgar leaves Gloucester to rescue them. Lear is elated to be with Cordelia,
even though they are imprisoned. Albany and Edmund duel and Edmund falls. Edgar is with Albany, and he finally reveals himself. Gloucester dies from shock and happiness when he finds out it was Edgar all along. Regan and Goneril both die since Regan is ill and Goneril commits suicide. Cordelia is also dead because of Goneril and Edmund's orders of her hanging. Lear arrives with her dead body and dies because of his grief over her death. In the end, Edgar and Kent are named rulers of the kingdom.
even though they are imprisoned. Albany and Edmund duel and Edmund falls. Edgar is with Albany, and he finally reveals himself. Gloucester dies from shock and happiness when he finds out it was Edgar all along. Regan and Goneril both die since Regan is ill and Goneril commits suicide. Cordelia is also dead because of Goneril and Edmund's orders of her hanging. Lear arrives with her dead body and dies because of his grief over her death. In the end, Edgar and Kent are named rulers of the kingdom.