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The play opens with King Lear deciding how to retire his throne. He decides to divide his land up among his three daughters. Whichever daughter can lavish him with the most praise and prove they love him most, will get the best land. Regan and Goneril are the first to profess their love to their father. Lear is gratified and grants each a healthy portion of land. He saves the last, but best portion of land for his youngest and favorite daughter, Cordelia. Cordelia, unfortunately, is unwilling to lie to her father. She will not allow herself to behave in the way her sisters did. She simply states that she loves Lear as much as any daughter should, no more, no less. Read more.

Characters, setting, etc...

Act 1

• Scene 1. King Lear's palace.
• Scene 2. The Earl of Gloucester's castle.
• Scene 3. The Duke of Albany's palace.
• Scene 4. A hall in the same.
• Scene 5. Court before the same.

Act 2

• Scene 1. GLOUCESTER's castle.
• Scene 2. Before Gloucester's castle.
• Scene 3. A wood.
• Scene 4. Before GLOUCESTER's castle. KENT in the stocks.

Act 3

• Scene 1. A heath.
• Scene 2. Another part of the heath. Storm still.
• Scene 3. Gloucester's castle.
• Scene 4. The heath. Before a hovel.
• Scene 5. Gloucester's castle.
• Scene 6. A chamber in a farmhouse adjoining the castle.
• Scene 7. Gloucester's castle.

Act 4

• Scene 1. The heath.
• Scene 2. Before ALBANY's palace.
• Scene 3. The French camp near Dover.
• Scene 4. The same. A tent.
• Scene 5. Gloucester's castle.
• Scene 6. Fields near Dover.
• Scene 7. A tent in the French camp. LEAR on a bed asleep,

Act 5

• Scene 1. The British camp, near Dover.
• Scene 2. A field between the two camps.
• Scene 3. The British camp near Dover.

Entire play as one page.