"King Lear": Act I, Scene 1: Part One (02:31)

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Lords Gloucester and Kent discuss King Lear's plan to divide the kingdom evenly and speculate why he did not show favoritism. Gloucester insult's Edmund's mother in his presence; Edmund does not react.

"King Lear": Act I, Scene 1: Lear Arrives (06:33)

Goneril gives a speech about how she loves her father as much as life itself; Regan insists she loves him more than her own life. Cordelia refuses to make a speech and thinks the love contest stupid. King Lear casts out Cordelia and divides her portion of the kingdom between her two sisters; he will spend months alternating between the two households.

"King Lear": Act I, Scene 1: Kent Objects (07:00)

Kent argues with Lear, suggesting Cordelia's honesty means more than her sister's flattery. Lear demands that Kent leave the country within five days. The King of France decides to marry Cordelia, because her behavior increased his respect for her.

"King Lear": Act I, Scene 1: The Sisters Say Goodbye (02:04)

Cordelia claims the sisters do not love their father as they said. Regan and Goneril tell her to focus on pleasing her husband since he is marrying her out of pity. After Cordelia leaves, Regan and Goneril worry Lear is going senile and decide to work together to manage the king.

"King Lear": Act I, Scene 2: Edmund Plots (05:31)

Edmund complains about his illegitimate status and argues he is just as smart, talented, and attractive as Edgar. He convinces Gloucester that his older brother wants to murder his father. Gloucester worries about Kent's banishment.

"King Lear": Act I, Scene 2: Confronting Edgar (03:03)

Edmund relishes in his success and laughs at how people blame their own failings on the stars and the fates. Edmund convinces Edgar that his father is angry at him; he should hide, carry a weapon at all times, and be careful of his enemies.

"King Lear": Act I, Scene 3: Goneril is Frustrated (01:17)

Lear struck a servant because he was rude to the king's fool and the entourage is rowdy. Goneril decides to go to her sister for aid. Kent enters the castle unnoticed.

"King Lear": Act I, Scene 4: Kent Returns (07:29)

Kent disguises himself as a lowly peasant, Caius, and helps Lear rough up Goneril's servant Oswald. The fool enters and mocks Lear for giving away his kingdom to Regan and Goneril, when he values Cordelia more.

"King Lear": Act I, Scene 4: Goneril Enters (05:21)

Goneril scolds Lear for encouraging his knights to become out of control and threatens punishment. Lear demands his train be prepared, decides to give Goneril's inheritance to Regan, and begs the gods for Goneril to become sterile.

"King Lear": Act I, Scene 4: Circumventing Lear (02:55)

Lear is furious that Goneril dismissed fifty of his entourage. Goneril dismisses the fool and sends a letter to Regan through Oswald explaining the situation.

"King Lear": Act I, Scene 5: Readying the Horses (02:41)

The fool suggests that escaping to Regan's home might not be a good decision, because she is likely as rotten as Goneril. Lear worries he is going insane.

"King Lear": Act II, Scene 1: Edmund's Knavery (04:34)

Edmund hears that Regan and the Duke of Cornwall will be paying a visit to his father. He tells Edgar to flee for his life as his father's men are coming for him. After Edgar leaves, Edmund cuts himself and blames Edgar; Gloucester arrives and puts out a reward for the capture of Edgar.

"King Lear": Act II, Scene 2: Edgar Flees (07:11)

The disguised Kent and Oswald arrive at Gloucester's house; they argue and draw weapons. Cornwall orders Kent into the stocks, but Gloucester protests.

"King Lear": Act II, Scene 3: Edgar Disguises Himself (05:41)

Kent relates his version of the fight between himself and Oswald. Lear demands Gloucester fetch his daughter. Regan and Cornwall are too tired to come down.

"King Lear": Act II, Scene 4: Regan Arrives (03:24)

Regan and Cornwall release Kent from the stockade. Lear complains about Goneril's behavior; Regan suggests that he is old and feeble, and should ask for forgiveness.

"King Lear": Act II, Scene 4: Goneril Arrives (07:28)

Cornwall confesses that he sent Kent to the stocks. Lear rants about Goneril and insists that he and his knights will stay with Regan. The sisters deem that Lear needs no knights; Lear feels emasculated and rushes out into the storm.

"King Lear": Act III, Scene 2: In the Storm (04:54)

The fool begs Lear to go back to his daughter's house for shelter, but the King refuses. Kent arrives, tells Lear he needs to seek shelter, and escorts them to a nearby hovel. Gloucester confesses that he is unhappy with the sister's treatment of the king, that tensions are rising between Albany and Cornwall, and that he is leaving to find Lear.

"King Lear": Act III, Scene 4: Finding the Hovel (06:31)

Lear prefers to remain outside because the storm is nothing compared to the tempest in his mind; he orders Kent and the fool to seek shelter. Edgar, disguised as Poor Tom, emerges and pretends he is insane. Lear projects his fears upon Edgar and starts taking off his clothes.

"King Lear": Act III, Scene 4: Gloucester Arrives (02:04)

Gloucester does not recognize Edgar. He tells the group he is there to take the king to shelter and admits the court should have listened to Kent. Lear agrees to go with Gloucester if Poor Tom will come as well.

"King Lear": Act III, Scene 5: Edmund's Evil Plan (03:17)

Cornwall declares Edmund will become the new Earl of Gloucester and orders him to find his father. Lear hallucinates that his daughters are in the room and demands that Edgar, Kent, and the fool judge their crimes. Kent convinces the king to lie down.

"King Lear": Act III, Scene 6: Gloucester Returns (01:37)

Gloucester returns with news that there is a plot on Lear's life. Kent wakes Lear and puts him in a litter to Dover, where Cordelia lives. Edgar admits there is no greater suffering then mental illness.

"King Lear": Act III, Scene 7: Lear Escapes to Dover (04:39)

Oswald reports to Cornwall that Gloucester helped Lear and the Fool escape to Dover. Gloucester verbally attacks Regan and Cornwall for their treatment of the king. Cornwall rips out Gloucester's eyes and Regan informs the prisoner that Edmond turned him in; Gloucester realizes Edgar is innocent.

"King Lear": Act IV, Scene 1: Outside the Castle (04:31)

Gloucester laments the loss of his son. Edgar discovers his father has been blinded. Gloucester asks Poor Tom to lead him to the Cliffs of Dover so he can jump off; Edgar agrees.

"King Lear": Act IV, Scene 2: Albany Defects (03:39)

Goneril seduces Edmund; Oswald watches. Albany arrives and berates her for treating Lear so poorly. A messenger arrives and announces that the Duke of Cornwall died after plucking out Gloucester's eyes.

"King Lear": Act IV, Scene 3- 5: The Villain's Plot (03:29)

The queen sends soldiers to find Lear, who ran away from his caretakers. Regan informs Oswald that she should marry Edmund and there is a reward for killing Gloucester.

"King Lear": Act IV, Scene 6: The Cliffs of Dover (05:05)

Edgar convinces Gloucester they are at the cliff's edge. When Gloucester attempts to commit suicide, Edgar persuades Gloucester that the gods preserved the blind man.

"King Lear": Act IV, Scene 6: Lear Arrives (07:44)

Lear recognizes Gloucester and then slips back into madness. Soldiers arrive and attempt to apprehend the king, but he slips away.

"King Lear": Act IV, Scene 6: Oswald Finds Gloucester (02:11)

When Oswald attacks Gloucester, Edgar fights him off and kills him. Goneril's letter asks that Edmund kill her husband so they can be together. Edgar realizes his brother is evil.

"King Lear": Act IV, Scene 7: Lear Wakes Up (05:46)

Cordelia asks Kent how she can emulate him; a doctor wakes King Lear. Lear assumes he is in the afterlife and surrounded by spirits. Cordelia helps him obtain his bearings; both beg for forgiveness.

"King Lear": Act IV, Scene 7: Act V, Scene 1: Before the Battle (02:49)

Regan asks if Edmund loves her sister and orders him to stay out of his bed. Edgar gives Albany Goneril's letter, demands he read it prior to battle, and offers to become his champion. Edmund wonders which sister he should marry.

"King Lear": Act V, Scene 2 and 3: The Battle Begins (03:57)

Edgar hides Gloucester in the sands and runs offstage to fight in the battle. Upon capture, Lear tells Cordelia he no longer wants to rule, just spend time with his beloved daughter. Edmund writes an order on a piece of paper and gives it to the captain.

"King Lear": Act V, Scene 3: The Villains Argue (03:09)

Regan claims Edmund as her future husband. Albany arrests Goneril and Edmund for treason and asks for the trumpet to sound three times so a champion of his cause can be found. Goneril confesses she poisoned her sister.

"King Lear": Act V, Scene 3: Edgar Arrives (04:32)

Edgar stabs Edmund in the stomach and reveals his identity. Edmund confesses that he is guilty and that he ordered the captain to kill Lear and Cordelia.

"King Lear": Act V, Scene 3: Lear Carries Cordelia (06:07)

Kent tries to comfort Lear, but Lear brushes him off and refuses to acknowledge Kent's devotion. Lear dies knowing that Cordelia is dead. Kent refuses to rule England with Edgar and decides to stay with Lear.

Curtain Call (01:53)

The actors take their bows to a standing ovation from the audience.

Credits: King Lear (02:11)

Credits: King Lear