King Lear Summary

The play begins with two noblemen, Gloucester and Kent, discussing the fact that King
Lear is about to divide his kingdom. Their conversation quickly changes, however, when
Kent asks Gloucester to introduce his son. Gloucester introduces Edmund, explaining
that Edmund is a bastard being raised away from home, but that he nevertheless loves
his son dearly.
Lear, the ruler of Britain, enters his throne room and announces his plan to divide the kingdom
among his three daughters. He intends to give up the responsibilities of government and spend
his old age visiting his children. He commands his daughters to say which of them loves him the
most, promising to give the greatest share to that daughter.

Lear’s scheming older daughters, Goneril and Regan, respond to his test with flattery, telling him
in wildly overblown terms that they love him more than anything else. But Cordelia, Lear’s
youngest (and favorite) daughter, refuses to speak. When pressed, she says that she cannot
“heave her heart into her mouth,” that she loves him exactly as much as a daughter should love
her father, and that her sisters wouldn’t have husbands if they loved their father as much as they
say (1.1.90–91). In response, Lear flies into a rage, disowns Cordelia, and divides her share of
the kingdom between her two sisters.

The earl of Kent, a nobleman who has served Lear faithfully for many years, is the only courtier
who disagrees with the king’s actions. Kent tells Lear he is insane to reward the flattery of his
older daughters and disown Cordelia, who loves him more than her sisters do. Lear turns his
anger on Kent, banishing him from the kingdom and telling him that he must be gone within six
days.

The king of France and duke of Burgundy are at Lear’s court, awaiting his decision as to which
of them will marry Cordelia. Lear calls them in and tells them that Cordelia no longer has any
title or land. Burgundy withdraws his offer of marriage, but France is impressed by Cordelia’s
honesty and decides to make her his queen. Lear sends her away without his blessing.

Goneril and Regan scheme together in secrecy. Although they recognize that they now have
complete power over the kingdom, they agree that they must act to reduce their father’s
remaining authority.

Another Summary
Summary and Analysis Act I: Scene 1

Summary

The scene opens in King Lear's palace. A conversation between Kent,

Gloucester, and Gloucester's son Edmund introduces the play's
primary plot: The king is planning to divide his kingdom among his
three daughters. The audience also learns that Gloucester has two
sons. The older, Edgar, is his legitimate heir, and the younger, Edmund,
is illegitimate; however, Gloucester loves both sons equally. This
information provides the subplot.

King Lear enters to a fanfare of trumpets, followed by his two sons-in-

law — Albany and Cornwall — and his three daughters — Goneril,
Regan, and Cordelia. Lear announces that he has divided his kingdom
into three shares to be given to his daughters as determined by their
declarations of love for him. Goneril, as the eldest, speaks first. She
tells her father that her love for him is boundless. Regan, as the middle
child, speaks next. Her love, she says, is even greater than Goneril's.

Finally, it is Cordelia's turn to express the depth of her love for her
royal father. But when queried by Lear, Cordelia replies that she loves
him as a daughter should love a father, no more and no less. She
reminds her father that she also will owe devotion to a husband when
she marries, and therefore cannot honestly tender all her love toward
her father. Lear sees Cordelia's reply as rejection; in turn, he disowns
Cordelia, saying that she will now be "a stranger to my heart and me"
(I.1.114). King Lear then divides his kingdom between Goneril and
Regan, giving each an equal share.

Kent interferes by asking Lear to reconsider his rash action. Lear is

not swayed, and in anger, he banishes Kent for defending Cordelia and
for confronting the king.

At Kent's departure, the King of France and Duke of Burgundy enter,

both of whom are suitors for Cordelia's hand in marriage. They are told
that Cordelia will not receive a dowry or inheritance from her father.
The Duke withdraws his suit, because a wife without a dowry is of no
use to him. In contrast, the King of France claims that Cordelia is a
prize, even without her share of Lear's kingdom, and announces his
intent to marry Cordelia.

Cordelia bids her sisters farewell, and leaves with the King of France.
When Goneril and Regan are left alone, the two sisters reveal their
plan to discredit the king.