King Lear characters

Also known as King Lear

Appears from the start

The aging king of Britain, preparing to give up rule while retaining his title and a royal household. He plans to divide the kingdom among his three daughters according to how persuasively each declares her love for him.

Appears from the start

Lear's eldest daughter and Albany's wife. She answers her father's public test with an extravagant declaration and receives a large share of the kingdom.

Appears from the start

Lear's second daughter and Cornwall's wife. She claims that her love surpasses even Goneril's and receives the second portion of Britain.

Appears from the start

Lear's youngest daughter and the favored child before the division. Unwilling to turn genuine affection into a public competition, she answers plainly and risks both her inheritance and planned marriage.

Also known as Earl of Kent

Appears from the start

A nobleman fiercely loyal to Lear. When the king disowns Cordelia, Kent challenges the decision and continues speaking honestly even after Lear orders him to stop.

Also known as Earl of Gloucester

Appears from the start

An older nobleman loyal to Lear and father to Edgar and Edmund. He speaks openly of Edmund's illegitimate birth but has raised him within the family and says he values both sons.

Appears from the start

Gloucester's younger, illegitimate son. Resentful that law and custom place Edgar before him, he privately resolves to gain the status and inheritance denied by his birth.

First appears in chapter 2

Gloucester's legitimate elder son and expected heir. Trusting and politically inexperienced, he accepts Edmund's warning that their father is angry with him.

Also known as Duke of Albany

Appears from the start

Goneril's husband and one of the two rulers who inherit Lear's authority. He is less eager than his wife to confront the old king and initially plays little part in her household decisions.

Also known as Duke of Cornwall

Appears from the start

Regan's husband and Albany's fellow ruler after Lear divides Britain. He accepts the new political arrangement and supports Regan's authority within their household.

First appears in chapter 3

A court jester licensed to mock Lear and tell him unwelcome truths. Loyal to the old king, he criticizes the decision to surrender power and follows him as his position deteriorates.

First appears in chapter 3

Goneril's steward and obedient household agent. He carries out her orders to reduce the honors shown to Lear and treats the former king according to his diminished power.

Also known as King of France

First appears in chapter 2

One of Cordelia's suitors. When Lear withdraws her dowry, France values her honesty above the lost wealth and agrees to marry her without an inheritance.

Also known as Duke of Burgundy

First appears in chapter 2

A suitor for Cordelia whose willingness to marry depends on the dowry Lear promised. Once she is disinherited, he declines the match.