CliffsNotes on

King Lear

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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.

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Character Analysis

King of France

France is honorable and willing to support Cordelia's efforts to rescue her father. France points out that she is a prize as great as any dowry. France's support of Cordelia reveals that he is, indeed, worthy of Cordelia's love.

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