King Lear of Britain decides to divide his land between his three daughters, according to how much they love him. Goneril and Regan make elaborate speeches of affection, and are awarded land, but Cordelia, the youngest, although she loves him too, refuses to join in with what she sees as their insincerity. She says she loves her father only as much as is fitting. Furiously, Lear casts her out, and she leaves with her suitor, the King of France. Lear goes to live first with Goneril, then Regan, but they treat him harshly and eventually he is thrown out in a storm, with his fool.
Meanwhile, Edmund, the bastard son of the Earl of Gloucester, has turned his father against his legitimate son Edgar. Edmund becomes the lover of both Goneril and Regan, while Edgar flees, disguised as a crazy beggar. Gloucester expresses pity for Lear and is suspected of supporting the French, who have landed at Dover to save Lear. Gloucester has his eyes put out by Cornwall, Regan's husband, and is cared for by Edgar in disguise.
Jealous over Edmund, Goneril poisons Regan and kills herself. Lear, having gone mad, is taken to Dover where he is reconciled with Cordelia. The English, led by Edmund and Cornwall, defeat the French, and Lear and Cordelia are imprisoned. Edgar kills Edmund in a duel, but Cordelia is hanged, and Lear dies of grief.
—Summary taken from The World of Shakespeare.
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