CliffsNotes on

King Lear

Search this CliffsNote

Play Summary

William Shakespeare Biography

Personal Background
Shakespeare's Literary Works

About King Lear

Summary, Analysis, and Original Text by Scene

Act I: Scene 1
Act I: Scene 2
Act I: Scene 3
Act I: Scene 4
Act I: Scene 5
Act II: Scene 1
Act II: Scene 2
Act II: Scene 3
Act II: Scene 4
Act III: Scene 1
Act III: Scene 2
Act III: Scene 3
Act III: Scene 4
Act III: Scene 5
Act III: Scene 6
Act III: Scene 7
Act IV: Scene 1
Act IV: Scene 2
Act IV: Scene 3
Act IV: Scene 4
Act IV: Scene 5
Act IV: Scene 6
Act IV: Scene 7
Act V: Scene 1
Act V: Scene 2
Act V: Scene 3

Character List

Character Map

Character Analysis

King Lear
Goneril
Regan
Cordelia
Fool
Earl of Gloucester
Earl of Kent / Caius
Edmund
Edgar / Poor Tom
Duke of Albany
Duke of Cornwall
Oswald
King of France
Duke of Burgundy

Critical Essays

Divine Justice in King Lear
Parent-Child Relationships in King Lear: The Neglect of Natural Law
Kingship and Lear

Study and Homework Help

Famous King Lear Quotes
Film Versions of King Lear
Glossary
Quiz
Essay Questions
Practice Projects

Cite this Literature Note

Should the government bail out the auto industry?

Yes, it's too important to our economy.
No, the government is already broke enough.
Only with strict regulations on how they can spend the money.

View Results

Character Analysis

Duke of Burgundy

Burgundy rejects Cordelia when he discovers that she will bring him no dowry or inheritance. Burgundy, who cannot love Cordelia without her wealth, is guilty of selfish motivations.

Previous page
Next page
Resources

Tools & Resources

Ask Cliff

Read More About

Study Guides To-Go!
Get the complete text from CliffsNotes guides on your video iPod®.
Learn more!
cover
Learn the Words You Should Know
Vocabulary Puzzles is the fun way to ace the SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT & more!
The Ultimate Learning Experience!
WATCH the film and READ the lit note for a fast way to study!
Learn more!