Chapter 1
Summary:
King Lear, aging and desiring to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, asks each to express her love for him. Cordelia, the youngest, refuses to flatter her father, stating that her love can only be expressed through her actions. Outraged, Lear disinherits and banishes Cordelia, dividing his kingdom between his elder daughters, Goneril and Regan.
Example:
"My love's More ponderous than my tongue;
Nor can my parted lips express
My bosom's inward part." (Cordelia)
Chapter 2
Summary:
Goneril and Regan quickly reveal their true intentions, mistreating Lear and his followers. Lear, furious, seeks shelter with Regan, only to be met with further disrespect. Destitute and alone, Lear wanders out into a raging storm.
Example:
"Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! blow!
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout / Till you have drench'd our steeples, drown'd the cocks!" (Lear)
Chapter 3
Summary:
Cordelia, now in exile in France, raises an army to defend her father. Meanwhile, Lear, on the brink of madness, encounters Edgar, a disguised son of Gloucester who has been unjustly banished. Together, they face the horrors of the storm.
Example:
"I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness.
I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children,
You owe me no subscription: then let fall
Your horrible pleasure." (Lear)
Chapter 4
Summary:
Lear's madness escalates as he believes himself to be a prisoner. Goneril and Regan plot against their father and against each other. Gloucester discovers the truth about Edgar and is blinded by Cornwall.
Example:
"Resign thy crown, and to their lawful mistress
That thou sustain'st, surrender the resigning
Sign'd with my blood, when I should take possession
Of this house." (Regan to Lear)
Chapter 5
Summary:
Cordelia's army invades England. Goneril and Regan align against her, but they soon turn against each other out of jealousy. Lear and Cordelia are reunited, but their joy is short-lived.
Example:
"A sovereign shame so elbows him: his own unkindness,
That stripp'd her from his benediction, turn'd her
To foreign casualties, gave her dear rights
To his dog-hearted daughters." (Lear)
Chapter 6
Summary:
In the bloody aftermath of the battle, both Lear and Cordelia are killed. Edgar avenges his father and exposes the truth about Goneril and Regan's betrayals. The kingdom is restored to its rightful heir, Albany.
Example:
"What comfort should we have to live alone?
Is all our hope outgrown?" (Albany)
