King Lear list of characters

With plot summary

Summary

King Lear (written by William Shakespeare around 1605 to 1606) is a tragedy about an aging king who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their declarations of love. The elder daughters, Goneril and Regan, flatter him with false praise and receive power, while the honest Cordelia is disowned.

Once in power, Goneril and Regan betray Lear, leading him to madness. Meanwhile, the Duke of Gloucester is similarly betrayed by his son Edmund. The play ends in tragedy with the deaths of Lear, Cordelia, and several others, leaving the kingdom in ruin.

Characters

EARL OF KENT alias “CAIUS”

A nobleman loyal to King Lear. After being banished for defending Cordelia, Kent returns in disguise as “Caius” to continue serving Lear. He is one of the few characters who remains steadfastly loyal to the king. [Played by Luis Araquistain]

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EARL OF GLOUCESTER

A nobleman loyal to King Lear who faces a parallel tragic downfall. He is deceived by his illegitimate son Edmund and betrayed, resulting in his tragic blinding and eventual death. [Played by Don Martin]

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EDMUND

Gloucester’s illegitimate and scheming son. Ambitious and manipulative, Edmund betrays his father and brother in his quest for power. He is a villain who meets his end in a duel with Edgar. [Played by Evan Mooney]

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KING LEAR

The elderly king of Britain who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their flattery. His misguided judgment leads to his downfall and descent into madness. [Played by Gene Kahane]

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DUCHESS OF CORNWALL

Regan’s spouse, who is as ruthless and cruel as her wife. She participates in the blinding of Gloucester but is later killed by a servant. [Played by Venee Call-Ferrer]

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DUKE OF ALBANY

Goneril’s husband, who is initially passive but grows increasingly disillusioned with his wife’s cruelty. By the end of the play, Albany opposes Goneril’s actions and fights to restore order. [Played by Tim Morrill]

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GONERIL

Lear’s eldest daughter, who, along with her sister Regan, deceives Lear with false flattery to gain power. She is cruel, ambitious, and betrays her father after gaining control of part of the kingdom. [Played by Jasmine Ng]

REGAN

Lear’s middle daughter, similar in nature to Goneril. She is equally ruthless and joins her sister in betraying Lear, stripping him of his remaining dignity and power. [Played by Darrah Jones]

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CORDELIA

Lear’s youngest and most beloved daughter. She refuses to flatter Lear with exaggerated praise, leading to her disinheritance. Cordelia is honest, loyal, and represents virtue in the play. [Played by Kara S. Poon]

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EDGAR alias "POOR TOM"

Gloucester’s legitimate son, who is forced into hiding after being falsely accused by Edmund. Disguised as “Poor Tom,” a mad beggar, Edgar eventually avenges his father and helps restore order. [Played by Paul Bisesi]

DUKE OF BURGUNDY

Burgundy rejects Cordelia when he discovers that she will bring him no dowry or inheritance. Burgundy, who cannot love Cordelia without her wealth, is guilty of selfish motivations. [Played by Frida Schiesser]

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KING OF FRANCE

France is a benevolent character, who takes Cordelia as his wife without a dowry, when she has been rejected by her father, and even sends her back to England with the French army to rectify the wrongs carried out by Goneril and Regan against Lear. [Played by Kate Rockwell]

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THE FOOL

Lear’s court jester who remains loyal to the king, offering wisdom disguised as humor. The Fool serves as Lear’s conscience and provides insight into the king’s folly. [Played by Caitlin Kenney]

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OSWALD

Goneril’s steward, who is loyal to her and assists in her schemes. He is ultimately killed by Edgar. [Played by Karin Jensen]

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A KNIGHT (GENTLMAN)

A loyal servant of the King. Assists Kent in attempts to find and save the King and work toward reconciliation with Cordelia. [Played by Sally Geary]

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FIGHTING SERVANT

Gloucester's loyal servant who attacks Cornwall after Cornwall admits that he has gouged out Gloucester's eyes as a punishment for giving Lear shelter. Cornwall later dies from his wounds. [Played by Frida Schiesser]

DOCTOR

The Doctor observes the deteriorating mental state of King Lear. He recognizes the symptoms of Lear's descent into madness and understands the underlying causes of his erratic behavior. Doctor's observations provide a sense of realism to the play, as they reflect the medical knowledge and understanding of mental health during Shakespeare's time. [Played by Bill Brobeck]

CAPTAIN

The Captain is given orders by Edmund to hang Cordelia and make it look like suicide. As obeying Edmund is his best chance of advancing in the world, he does so, though he is interrupted by Lear and killed. [Played by Bill Brobeck]