Great literary works, like their authors, will never become obsolete, and will remain loved for many, many years. One of these authors is William Shakespeare. “King Lear,” a summary of which is given below, is one of the most famous tragedies written by him back in 1606.
So, the action takes place in Britain in the 15th century. Key characters: King of Britain Lear; the daughter of the king - Goneril, Regan and Cordelia; Earl of Gloucester; Earl of Kent; Edgar is the son of Earl of Gloucester; Edmond - the illegitimate son of Earl of Gloucester; Dukes of Burgundy, Albanian, and Cornwall; king of france. Next, we describe the summary of King Lear.
The old king feels that he does not have long to live, so he decides to divide his kingdom between his three beloved daughters. He calls them to him and asks to tell how much they love him. Gonerilla and Regana scatter in sweet but deceitful speeches, and the young artless Cordelia honestly replies that she loves her father as her daughter's duty tells her. King Lear, a summary of the tragedy we are retelling to you, is not satisfied with this answer. Therefore, he deprives Cordelia of his inheritance and gives her share to Goneril and Regan.
The king’s friend, the noble Earl of Kent, is outraged by the ruler’s behavior and is therefore exiled. The Duke of Burgundy, claiming the hand of Cordelia, refuses to marry her, since she is now a dowager. However, she is married to the king of France. Cordelia, leaving her home, asks the sisters to take care of her father.
Perplexed by the current situation and Count Gloucester. He is so upset and amazed that King Lear (the summary does not allow to reveal all the details) did this to his own daughter and close friend, that he does not suspect that Edmond - his illegitimate son - weaves an intrigue around him. He wants to take possession of part of the legacy of Edgar - the legitimate son, therefore, "substitutes" him. Edgar had to flee.
Meanwhile, King Lear (a brief summary will not convey the full atmosphere of this tragedy) is visiting the eldest daughter of Gonerilla, who married the Duke of Albanian. She disrespectfully treats her father. She ignores even her husband’s reproaches. Lear then goes on a visit to Regan, who became the wife of the Duke of Cornwall. The king hopes that his middle daughter is more welcoming, but soon realizes that she is even worse than Gonerilla. Count Lear is always next to Lear: he is devoted to the king, so he dressed up beyond recognition and hired him to serve.
Further in the King Lear tragedy, the brief content of which does not allow to describe in detail all the events, it is said that the king, realizing that he had betrayed Cordelia, the daughter who truly loved him, was
going crazy. The duke of Cornwall before his death
tears his eyes from the Earl of Gloucester, who, in turn, understands that his son Edgar is not to blame for anything. It turns out that Edmond is a real traitor, moreover, a lover of Goneril and Regan. Gonerilla, having learned that Edmond decided to stay with the widowed Regan, poison his sister, and then stabs himself. Cordelia, having learned that misfortune happened to her father, hurries to his aid. Both she and the king are captured. The tragedy ends when Cordelia was hanged, Edgar killed Edmond, and Lear died of grief.