King Lear Act by Act Plot summary

Act 1 Scene 1

Kent and Gloucester laugh about the making of Edmund. Lear divides his kingdom based on his daughters' declarations of love. Goneril and Regan flatter him; Cordelia refuses and is disowned. Kent defends Cordelia and is banished.

Act 1 Scene 2

Edmund forges a letter to frame Edgar as plotting against Gloucester, beginning his scheme.

Act 1 Scene 3

Goneril complains about Lear's knights and instructs her servants to treat Lear poorly.

Act 1 Scene 4

Lear quarrels with Goneril over her ingratitude and curses her. He decides to go to Regan's house.

Act 1 Scene 5

Lear begins to realize his loss of power and struggles with feelings of betrayal.

Act 2 Scene 1

Edmund injures himself to frame Edgar, convincing Gloucester that Edgar is a traitor. Edgar flees.

Act 2 Scene 2

Kent, in disguise, attacks Oswald for disrespecting Lear. He is put in the stocks by Regan and Cornwall.

Act 2 Scene 3

Edgar disguises himself as Poor Tom, a mad beggar, to evade capture.

Act 2 Scene 4

Regan rejects Lear and aligns with Goneril. Lear, furious, storms out into the heath.

Act 3 Scene 1

Kent learns that the King of France may send troops to support Lear. He sends a message to Cordelia.

Act 3 Scene 2

Lear rages against the storm, lamenting his daughters' betrayal, while his madness grows.

Act 3 Scene 3

Gloucester decides to help Lear despite the risk, learning of Regan and Goneril's plot to kill him.

Act 3 Scene 4

Lear meets Poor Tom (Edgar) on the heath. Gloucester arrives to take Lear to safety.

Act 3 Scene 5

Regan and Cornwall accuse Gloucester of treason for aiding Lear.

Act 3 Scene 6

Lear stages a mock trial for his daughters in his madness. Gloucester helps him escape.

Act 3 Scene 7

Gloucester is captured and blinded by Cornwall. He realizes Edmund betrayed him.

Act 4 Scene 1

Gloucester, now blind, is led by an old man. He resolves to go to Dover to end his life.

Act 4 Scene 2

Goneril and Edmund grow closer, and Albany begins to oppose Goneril's cruelty.

Act 4 Scene 3

Cordelia hears of Lear's suffering and prepares to reconcile with him.

Act 4 Scene 4

Cordelia leads the French army and hopes to restore Lear.

Act 4 Scene 5

Regan grows suspicious of Goneril's intentions toward Edmund.

Act 4 Scene 6

Edgar, as Poor Tom, tricks Gloucester into thinking he survived a fall, restoring his will to live. Lear, mad, appears and reunites with Gloucester.

Act 4 Scene 7

Lear is reunited with Cordelia, who forgives him. His sanity begins to return.

Act 5 Scene 1

Goneril and Regan openly vie for Edmund's affection. The tension between them grows.

Act 5 Scene 2

Lear and Cordelia's forces are defeated in battle, and they are captured.

Act 5 Scene 3

Edmund orders Cordelia's execution. Edgar reveals himself and kills Edmund. Lear mourns Cordelia's death and dies of grief. Albany, Edgar, and Kent are left to restore order.