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King Lear facts for kids

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King lear title page
The title page of the first printed version of King Lear

King Lear is a famous play by William Shakespeare. It is a tragedy, which means it has a sad ending. Shakespeare based this story on an old British legend. The legend was about a king named Leir or Lyr. The play was likely first shown in December 1606. It was first printed in 1608. Later, it was printed again in 1623. This was part of the First Folio, a big book of all Shakespeare's plays. Many famous actors have played the role of King Lear.

The Story of King Lear

The play tells the story of an old king named Lear. He wants to divide his land among his three daughters. To get their share, each daughter must tell him how much she loves him.

Cordelia's Honesty

His youngest daughter, Cordelia, refuses to say how much she loves him. She says her love is too great for words. King Lear becomes very angry with her. He decides not to give her any land. He also says she is no longer his daughter.

Regan and Goneril's Betrayal

Lear gives all his land to his other two daughters. Their names are Regan and Goneril. Soon, the king discovers that Regan and Goneril do not truly love him. They only wanted his land. Lear becomes very upset and starts to go insane.

Lear's Journey

Regan and Goneril, along with their husbands, force King Lear out of his own land. The rest of the play follows Lear's difficult journey. He wanders through the land that was once his. During this time, he slowly loses his mind.

Images for kids

  • King Lear by George Frederick Bensell

    King Lear, George Frederick Bensell

  • Cordelia-in-the-Court-of-King-Lear-1873-Sir-John-Gilbert

    Cordelia in the Court of King Lear (1873) by Sir John Gilbert

  • Edwin Austin Abbey King Lear, Act I, Scene I The Metropolitan Museum of Art

    King Lear: Cordelia's Farewell by Edwin Austin Abbey

  • Benjamin West King Lear Act III scene 4

    King Lear, Benjamin West (1788)

  • Lear and Cordelia (1849-54)

    Lear and Cordelia by Ford Madox Brown

  • Houghton STC 22292 - M. William Shak-speare, 1608

    Title page of the first quarto edition, published in 1608

  • LearTate

    Cover of Tate's The History of King Lear

  • James Barry 002

    King Lear mourns Cordelia's death, James Barry, 1786–1788

  • Cordelia's Portion

    Cordelia's Portion by Ford Madox Brown

  • House-of-strangers-trailer

    Screenshot from trailer for House of Strangers (1949) "The film has two antecedents—biblical references to Joseph and his brothers and King Lear".

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: El rey Lear para niños

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