King Lear- William Shakespeare
Study Guide by Allie Hays and Spencer
Good
Contents: Historical Context
Characters
Plot Summary
Quotes and Passages
Themes to Consider
In-Class OED exercise
Historical Context:
● Language- First work of the semester that is not translated into modern english
● Written in a combination of prose and verse
0 Prose represents a familiar or familial tone
○ Verse represents a formal tone
■ You - Formal
■ Thee, Thou, Thy, etc.- informal
● In 1603 King James I ascended to the British Throne
0 The time period contained the Protestant reformation
○ The standing King served as the head of the Church instead of the Pope
○ England and Scotland were seperated
● Both the general public and the hierarchy were interested in King Lear and it was
performed for both groups of people.
, ● King Lear is not an original work, it was first told in 1135 as History of the Kings of
Britain, by Geoffrey Monmouth
● Shakespeare presents the ending differently than any other version, turning it into a
tragedy
● Originally came out as a Quarto, a paper folded in quarters, which was the original way
that Shakespeare’s plays came out (1608)
0 Was originally characterized as a history play
○ Then as it transitioned from Quarto to Folio (1623) it was characterized as a
tragedy
● Maps:
Characters:
King Lear- King of Britain and main protagonist of the play. Gives up his power in the beginning
of the play and is seen going from a position of high power to a beggar throughout the course
of the story. Dies out of grief of Cordelia's death.
Cordelia- King Lear’s youngest and most loving daughter. Is rejected because she refuses to
verbally flatter him. Is married by the King of France. Remains loyal to Lear throughout the
course of the play. Is killed by an executioner offstage at the request of Goneril and Edmund.
Goneril- Lear’s eldest daughter and the wife of Albany. Often characterized by her ruthless
behavior. She attempts to have an affair with Edmund. Poisons Regan so that she can have
Edmund. Stabs herself to death out of shame when her husband finds out her plans to have an
affair with Edmund.
Regan- Lear’s middle child and wife of the duke of Cornwall. Like Goneril, she is characterized
by her ruthless behavior. She also desires an affair with Edmund. Is poisoned by Goneril.
Gloucester- A nobleman to King Lear and the father of Edgar and Edmund. Is an adulterer
which resulted in the birth of Edmund. Has eyes ripped out, and remains loyal to Lear
throughout the entirety of the play. Dies of a heart attack when Edgar reveals his identity to
him.
Study Guide by Allie Hays and Spencer
Good
Contents: Historical Context
Characters
Plot Summary
Quotes and Passages
Themes to Consider
In-Class OED exercise
Historical Context:
● Language- First work of the semester that is not translated into modern english
● Written in a combination of prose and verse
0 Prose represents a familiar or familial tone
○ Verse represents a formal tone
■ You - Formal
■ Thee, Thou, Thy, etc.- informal
● In 1603 King James I ascended to the British Throne
0 The time period contained the Protestant reformation
○ The standing King served as the head of the Church instead of the Pope
○ England and Scotland were seperated
● Both the general public and the hierarchy were interested in King Lear and it was
performed for both groups of people.
, ● King Lear is not an original work, it was first told in 1135 as History of the Kings of
Britain, by Geoffrey Monmouth
● Shakespeare presents the ending differently than any other version, turning it into a
tragedy
● Originally came out as a Quarto, a paper folded in quarters, which was the original way
that Shakespeare’s plays came out (1608)
0 Was originally characterized as a history play
○ Then as it transitioned from Quarto to Folio (1623) it was characterized as a
tragedy
● Maps:
Characters:
King Lear- King of Britain and main protagonist of the play. Gives up his power in the beginning
of the play and is seen going from a position of high power to a beggar throughout the course
of the story. Dies out of grief of Cordelia's death.
Cordelia- King Lear’s youngest and most loving daughter. Is rejected because she refuses to
verbally flatter him. Is married by the King of France. Remains loyal to Lear throughout the
course of the play. Is killed by an executioner offstage at the request of Goneril and Edmund.
Goneril- Lear’s eldest daughter and the wife of Albany. Often characterized by her ruthless
behavior. She attempts to have an affair with Edmund. Poisons Regan so that she can have
Edmund. Stabs herself to death out of shame when her husband finds out her plans to have an
affair with Edmund.
Regan- Lear’s middle child and wife of the duke of Cornwall. Like Goneril, she is characterized
by her ruthless behavior. She also desires an affair with Edmund. Is poisoned by Goneril.
Gloucester- A nobleman to King Lear and the father of Edgar and Edmund. Is an adulterer
which resulted in the birth of Edmund. Has eyes ripped out, and remains loyal to Lear
throughout the entirety of the play. Dies of a heart attack when Edgar reveals his identity to
him.
