SmartPass Audio Education Study Guide to King Lear (Unabridged, Dramatised) characters

Also known as King Lear

Appears from the start

The aging king of Britain, preparing to divide his realm among his three daughters while retaining the name and ceremonial privileges of kingship. He makes each daughter's inheritance depend on a public declaration of love.

Appears from the start

Lear's eldest daughter and Albany's wife. She answers her father's public test with extravagant praise and receives a large share of Britain.

Appears from the start

Lear's second daughter and Cornwall's wife. She echoes Goneril's declarations during the division of the kingdom and is rewarded with an equally rich portion.

Appears from the start

Lear's youngest daughter, sought in marriage by Burgundy and the King of France. She refuses to turn genuine affection into exaggerated public flattery, provoking Lear to disown her.

Also known as Earl of Kent, Caius

Appears from the start

A loyal nobleman who challenges Lear's treatment of Cordelia and is banished for speaking plainly. His devotion to the king survives the sentence.

Also known as Earl of Gloucester

Appears from the start

A senior nobleman at Lear's court and father of Edgar and Edmund. He acknowledges Edmund as his son while noting the social difference created by Edmund's birth outside marriage.

Appears from the start

Gloucester's younger son, recently returned to court after years away. Resentful that the law favors his legitimate brother Edgar, he privately resolves to win the status and inheritance denied by his birth.

Also known as Duke of Albany

Appears from the start

Goneril's husband and one of Lear's sons-in-law, awarded control of half the kingdom through the division. He is less forceful than his wife at the opening court ceremony.

Also known as Duke of Cornwall

Appears from the start

Regan's husband and Albany's fellow ruler after Lear divides Britain. He receives power over the other half of the kingdom.

Also known as King of France

First appears in chapter 2

Cordelia's royal suitor. After Lear withdraws her inheritance, he values her honesty and character above a dowry and takes her as his queen.

Also known as Duke of Burgundy

First appears in chapter 2

One of Cordelia's suitors. When Lear strips away her wealth and title, Burgundy declines to marry her without the promised inheritance.

Also known as Poor Tom

First appears in chapter 2

Gloucester's legitimate elder son and legal heir. Trusting his younger brother Edmund, he is bewildered when Edmund warns that their father has suddenly turned against him.

First appears in chapter 3

Goneril's steward and an efficient servant of her household. He follows her order to treat Lear and the king's unruly followers with less deference.

Also known as Lear's Fool

First appears in chapter 3

Lear's licensed jester and one of the few companions willing to criticize him openly. Through songs, riddles, and jokes, he points out the danger of surrendering power while expecting to keep its privileges.