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King Lear — William Shakespeare

King Lear

William Shakespeare

  • Drama
  • Book language: English
  • 137 pages

King Lear is William Shakespeare's tragedy about an aging king who divides his kingdom among his daughters based on their declarations of love. It explores power, loyalty, and family bonds through the fate of Lear and his children. It is worth listening to for its powerful language and deep insight into human nature.

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Cover of the original edition (Project Gutenberg, public domain).

Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.

Opening of the book

THE TRAGEDY OF
KING LEAR
by William Shakespeare

Contents

ACT I

Scene I. A Room of State in King Lear’s Palace

Scene II. A Hall in the Earl of Gloucester’s Castle

Scene III. A Room in the Duke of Albany’s Palace

Scene IV. A Hall in Albany’s Palace

Scene V. Court before the Duke of Albany’s Palace

ACT II

Scene I. A court within the Castle of the Earl of Gloucester

Scene II. Before Gloucester’s Castle

Scene III. The open Country

Scene IV. Before Gloucester’s Castle

ACT III

Scene I. A Heath

Scene II. Another part of the heath

Scene III. A Room in Gloucester’s Castle

Scene IV. A part of the Heath with a Hovel

Scene V. A Room in Gloucester’s Castle

Scene VI. A Chamber in a Farmhouse adjoining the Castle

Scene VII. A Room in Gloucester’s Castle

ACT IV

Scene I. The heath
Scene II. Before the Duke of Albany’s Palace
Scene III. The French camp near Dover
Scene IV. The French camp. A Tent
Scene V. A Room in Gloucester’s Castle
Scene VI. The country near Dover
Scene VII. A Tent in the French Camp
ACT V
Scene I. The Camp of the British Forces near Dover
Scene II. A field between the two Camps
Scene III. The British Camp near Dover
Dramatis Personæ
LEAR, King of Britain.
GONERIL, eldest daughter to Lear.
REGAN, second daughter to Lear.
CORDELIA, youngest daughter to Lear.
DUKE of ALBANY, married to Goneril.
DUKE of CORNWALL, married to Regan.
KING of FRANCE.
DUKE of BURGUNDY.
EARL of GLOUCESTER.
EDGAR, elder son to Gloucester.
EDMUND, younger bastard son to Gloucester.
EARL of KENT.
FOOL.
OSWALD, steward to Goneril.
CURAN, a Courtier.
OLD MAN, Tenant to Gloucester.
Physician.
An Officer employed by Edmund.
Gentleman, attendant on Cordelia.
A Herald.
Servants to Cornwall.

Knights attending on the King, Officers, Messengers, Soldiers and

Attendants.

SCENE: Britain

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Contents

  1. THE TRAGEDY OF KING LEAR
  2. Contents
  3. ACT I
  4. ACT II
  5. ACT III
  6. ACT IV
  7. ACT V
  8. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG™ LICENSE

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