King Lear Facts & Worksheets

“King Lear” is a famous play by William Shakespeare that tells a story about power, family, and madness. Set in ancient Britain, the story is loosely inspired by this old legend called Leir of Britain. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, King Lear decides to split his kingdom among three daughters, Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia, based on how much they say they love him. However, Lear can’t tell who’s telling the truth and who’s just trying to get what they want.

See the fact file below for more information about the Literature Study, King Lear or you can download our 25-page King Lear worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

AUTHOR AND BACKGROUND

• William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616) was an English writer and is considered the greatest playwright in the English language.
• He grew up during a time called the Elizabethan era when England was into art and learning new things.
• Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, and he got married to a lady named Anne Hathaway.
• They had three kids.
• Shakespeare became famous for writing plays and poems that people still love today.
• He wrote tragedies such as “Hamlet” and “Macbeth,” comedies like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Twelfth Night,” and even non-fiction stories about kings and queens such as “Henry V” and “Richard III.”
• Even though he lived a long time ago, his plays are still performed all over the world, and people still read and study them today.

SETTING: KINGDOMS AND NATURE

• Most of the action in “King Lear” goes down in the royal court, where King Lear starts off as a powerful ruler but makes some bad choices about dividing his kingdom among his daughters.
• The fancy court seems orderly, but it’s full of lies and betrayal as Lear’s daughters fight for control.
• Meanwhile, the stormy heath is where Lear ends up after his daughters turn on him.
• It’s chaotic and reflects Lear’s own confusion and sadness, while the storm shows his inner struggles.
• Other important places are Gloucester’s castle, where there is a lot of deception going on, and the cliffs of Dover, where some characters meet tragic ends.
• Throughout the play, nature shows us what’s going on with the characters.
• Storms represent chaos, while calm places like the cliffs give hope for redemption.

PLOT SUMMARY

• The play starts with King Lear, an old king, getting ready to give parts of his kingdom to his three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia.
• He wants to retire from being king, so he decides to give land to each daughter based on how much they say they love him.
• Goneril and Regan, the older sisters, say really nice things to their dad to get more land.
• On the other hand, Cordelia, the youngest and Lear’s favorite, does not want to pretend to love him just to get something in return.
• This makes Lear really mad, and he kicks her out and gives the kingdom to Goneril and Regan.
• Meanwhile, the Earl of Gloucester introduces his son, Edmund, who is not his legitimate child, to the audience.
• Edmund doesn’t like his real brother, Edgar, and plans to make his father like him more by making Edgar look like a traitor. 
• In Act 2, with Lear’s kingdom split, things get tense as Goneril and Regan show they don’t really care about their father.
• They start treating him and his friends badly.
• Lear feels sad and confused because his daughters betrayed him. 
• Meanwhile, Gloucester falls for Edmund’s tricks and thinks his real son, Edgar, wants to hurt him.
• Edgar has to run away and pretend to be a beggar to stay safe. 
• Lear starts to lose his mind as he finds shelter from a storm with only his Fool and his loyal friend Kent, who got kicked out earlier for standing up for Cordelia.
• In Act 3, things get even worse because of King Lear’s decision to split his kingdom.
• Goneril and Regan keep plotting against their dad, which makes him feel even worse.
• Lear goes completely crazy as he wanders around in a storm, thinking about how he’s going to die and how his daughters betrayed him.
• Edgar, who’s pretending to be a beggar, meets his father, Gloucester, who’s been tricked by Edmund into thinking Edgar caused all his problems. 
• Edgar helps Gloucester and takes him to Dover, thinking they will be safe there.
• In Act 4, everything starts to come together for a tragic ending. 
• Goneril and Regan fight over Edmund, which leads to a big fight where Regan’s husband gets really hurt.
• Lear’s state of mind keeps getting worse, but he gets to see Cordelia again, who came back from France with an army to save him.
• But their happiness doesn’t last long because Edmund captures them both and puts them in jail. 
• In the fifth and last act of “King Lear,” everything falls apart in a series of terrible events.
• Edmund, who’s now in charge, orders Lear and Cordelia to be killed. 
• But Albany, Goneril’s husband, figures out what’s going on and challenges Edmund to a fight. 
• Edgar fights Edmund, too, and finally reveals who he really is, Gloucester’s son.
• Edmund tries to stop the execution, but it’s too late.
• Lear comes in carrying Cordelia, who died while locked up.
• Lear is heartbroken, and he dies, too.
• The play ends with everyone dead, showing how power and greed can ruin lives.

MAIN CHARACTERS

• King Lear is an old and proud king who makes some big mistakes because he can’t tell when people are lying to him. 
• Lear’s problems show us what happens when you don’t think carefully before making decisions.
• Goneril and Regan are Lear’s two daughters who only care about themselves.
• They pretend to love their father to get what they want, but they end up causing a lot of trouble.
• They teach us about how being greedy and dishonest can lead to bad outcomes.
• Cordelia is Lear’s youngest daughter, and she’s the only one who tells him the truth.
• Cordelia shows us the importance of being true to ourselves, even when it’s hard.
• The Earl of Gloucester is a nobleman who gets tricked by his own son, Edmund.
• Gloucester’s story helps us understand how not seeing the truth can lead to big mistakes.
• Edgar is Gloucester’s good son who gets framed by his brother, Edmund.
• Edgar shows us that even when things seem really bad, we can still find a way to do the right thing and make things better.

THEMES AND MESSAGES

• The play shows us what happens when people misuse their power and authority.
• King Lear makes a bad decision by giving away his kingdom based on who flatters him the most.
• On the theme of madness, Lear’s mind starts to go as he struggles with his choices.
• His behavior gets strange, disrupting everything around him. 
• Also, the Fool’s jokes remind us that sometimes what seems crazy might actually make sense.
• Lear’s daughters, Goneril and Regan, and their fake love teach us how hurtful it is when family members are not honest and loyal.
• The characters in “King Lear” show us the good and bad sides of being human. 
• Some are selfish and greedy, while others are kind and brave.
• This reminds us that people are complicated, with both flaws and strengths.
• Throughout the play, we see how characters get what they deserve.
• When people act badly, they face consequences.
• But sometimes, things do not seem fair, leaving readers to wonder what justice really means.

King Lear Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Literature Study King Lear across 25 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about King Lear. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, King Lear decides to split his kingdom among three daughters, Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia, based on how much they say they love him. However, Lear can’t tell who’s telling the truth and who’s just trying to get what they want.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. King Lear Facts
2. Playwright POV
3. Timeline of Scenes
4. Vocab Master
5. Character Info
6. Key Prop Creation
7. Lear’s Soliloquy
8. Reimagination Game
9. Personal Review
10. Modern-Day Story
11. Tragedy Diagram

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the central theme of Shakespeare’s “King Lear”?

The central theme of “King Lear” revolves around the consequences of pride, betrayal, and the nature of familial relationships. It explores themes of power, madness, and the complexities of human nature.

Who are the main characters in “King Lear” and what roles do they play?

The main characters include King Lear, who represents arrogance and the consequences of misjudgment; his daughters Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia, who symbolize ingratitude, cruelty, and genuine love respectively; the Earl of Gloucester, whose subplot mirrors Lear’s story; and the duplicitous Edmund, Gloucester’s illegitimate son.

What is the significance of the subplot involving Gloucester and his sons Edgar and Edmund?

The subplot involving Gloucester and his sons serves to reinforce the themes of betrayal and redemption present in the main plot. It also provides a parallel to Lear’s story, highlighting the consequences of misjudgment and the possibility of redemption through suffering.

How does Shakespeare use the character of the Fool in “King Lear”?

The Fool serves as Lear’s conscience and truth-teller, offering insight and wisdom amidst the chaos of the play. Through his witty remarks and cryptic statements, the Fool highlights the folly of Lear’s actions and serves as a voice of reason in a world consumed by madness.

What is the significance of the storm scene in “King Lear”?

The storm scene is a powerful metaphor for the inner turmoil and chaos experienced by the characters, particularly King Lear. It symbolizes Lear’s mental and emotional descent into madness, as well as the tumultuous state of the kingdom. Additionally, the storm serves as a catalyst for Lear’s transformation and eventual self-awareness.

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