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King Lear

William Shakespeare

Set in pre-Roman Britain, the play follows King Lear's catastrophic decision to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their declarations of love.

"King Lear" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy. Set in pre-Roman Britain, the play follows King Lear's catastrophic decision to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their declarations of love.

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KENT. I thought the King had more affected the Duke of Albany than Cornwall.

GLOUCESTER. It did always seem so to us; but now, in the division of the kingdom, it appears not which of the Dukes he values most, for qualities are so weighed that curiosity in neither can make choice of either’s moiety.

GLOUCESTER. His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge: I have so often blush’d to acknowledge him that now I am braz’d to’t.

GLOUCESTER. Sir, this young fellow’s mother could; whereupon she grew round-wombed, and had indeed, sir, a son for her cradle ere she had a husband for her bed. Do you smell a fault?

KENT. I cannot wish the fault undone, the issue of it being so proper.

GLOUCESTER. But I have a son, sir, by order of law, some year elder than this, who yet is no dearer in my account: though this knave came something saucily to the world before he was sent for, yet was his mother fair; there was good sport at his making, and the whoreson must be acknowledged. Do you know this noble gentleman, Edmund?

GLOUCESTER. My Lord of Kent: remember him hereafter as my honourable friend.

KENT. I must love you, and sue to know you better.

GLOUCESTER. He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again. The King is coming.

Enter Lear, Cornwall, Albany, Goneril, Regan, Cordelia and Attendants.

LEAR. Attend the lords of France and Burgundy, Gloucester.

Contents

  1. 01Act I
  2. 02Scene I. A Room of State in King Lear’s Palace
  3. 03Scene II. A Hall in the Earl of Gloucester’s Castle
  4. 04Scene III. A Room in the Duke of Albany’s Palace
  5. 05Scene IV. A Hall in Albany’s Palace
  6. 06Scene V. Court before the Duke of Albany’s Palace
  7. 07Act II
  8. 08Scene I. A court within the Castle of the Earl of Gloucester
  9. 09Scene II. Before Gloucester’s Castle
  10. 10Scene III. The open Country
  11. 11Scene IV. Before Gloucester’s Castle; Kent in the stocks
  12. 12Act III
  13. 13Scene I. A Heath
  14. 14Scene II. Another part of the heath
  15. 15Scene III. A Room in Gloucester’s Castle
  16. 16Scene IV. A part of the Heath with a Hovel
  17. 17Scene V. A Room in Gloucester’s Castle
  18. 18Scene VI. A Chamber in a Farmhouse adjoining the Castle
  19. 19Scene VII. A Room in Gloucester’s Castle
  20. 20Act IV
  21. 21Scene I. The heath
  22. 22Scene II. Before the Duke of Albany’s Palace
  23. 23Scene III. The French camp near Dover
  24. 24Scene IV. The French camp. A Tent
  25. 25Scene V. A Room in Gloucester’s Castle
  26. 26Scene VI. The country near Dover
  27. 27Scene VII. A Tent in the French Camp
  28. 28Act V
  29. 29Scene I. The Camp of the British Forces near Dover
  30. 30Scene II. A field between the two Camps
  31. 31Scene III. The British Camp near Dover

About this edition

Author
William Shakespeare
Era
Early modern (c. 1500–1800)
Reading level
Introductory: no background needed
Formats
EPUB, PDF
Length
175 pages
This edition
Modern Philosophers