Video SparkNotes: Shakespeare's King Lear summary

Check out Shakespeare's King Lear Video SparkNote: Quick and easy King Lear synopsis, analysis, and discussion of major characters and themes in the play. For more King Lear resources, go to www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/lear. For a translation of the entire play into modern English, go to No Fear Shakespeare at nfs.sparknotes.com/lear.

[@KixMusaid]

This is actually pretty confusing.

[@temporalrewind3821]

Yeah sorta

[@patrickpreston3904]

Kix Musaid The character names are killing me. Who’s who here?

[@AliKhan-kg3fc]

you're right..

[@nathaliepachecorodriguez5212]

Glad you said that, i was very confused also

[@stefanul]

Thanks for comforting me

[@venncs]

1 hour to my exam, just found out Lear was King...

[@yashvimaram2059]

Bro it's called KING Lear XD

[@popbearc3421]

@@yashvimaram2059 please dont use “XD” Its like your toxic

[@yashvimaram2059]

@@popbearc3421 I didn't mean for it to sound that way! I'm just used to using emojis like that because of gaming :D

[@popbearc3421]

@@yashvimaram2059 oh ok

[@popbearc3421]

@@yashvimaram2059 👌

[@dhruva8246]

"Lear tells him to shut up" I lost it. looool.

[@orth82]

my thoughts exactly! That was soooo sparknotes :D

[@LethoHali]

Dhruva Seelin 😂 I know right kkkk

[@lauramczig]

Bad word

[@rebeccacrosbie713]

Samee

[@fxrish7635]

lol

[@TheAlmightyApe]

Too many characters, it's so hard to follow this video summary.....

[@ThePokadot1234]

It's more for people who have read the play and understand who the characters are,

[@ThePokadot1234]

It's more for people who have read the play and understand who the characters are,

[@kevincastro8768]

I understood it pretty well and I haven’t read the play and english isn’t even my native language

[@Coconutwater7]

The play itself is quite complex. This video does a good job of describing it in greater detail, but you might want to watch a shorter video first if this confuses you.

[@kxmode]

Why would King Leer name one of his daughters Gonorrhea?

[@youssefrochdi1994]

kxmode I knew someone would think of this. I was laughing so hard in class when I first read her name.

[@youssefrochdi1994]

kxmode I knew someone would think of this. I was laughing so hard in class when I first read her name.

[@kylasanchez]

AHAHAHAHAHA

[@kylasanchez]

+Youssef Rochdi same

[@cbergeron4137]

+kxmode its goneril

[@aaronkfmaster]

This analysis completely ignored the importance of the Fool. smh. The Fool was one of the smartest characters.

[@5610winston]

As is always the case when a fool is a prominent character in a drama or novel.

[@carolyncvaldez257]

Preach. Glad someone realized that. Goneril and Regan are power hungry cunts

[@meabhcrotty1862]

I feel bad for the fool, he is stuck with all these fools.

[@nwannyana]

@@meabhcrotty1862 So true 😂

[@reshmah606]

This is not an analysis. It's just a summary. I guess you must search for an analysis if you want the character sketch of the Fool.

[@AGJ117]

**Team Mainplot** *King Lear* Father of the three daughters; Gonaril (Evil), Regan (Evil), and Cordelia (Good). He banishes Cordelia and his friend, Kent, for siding with her. He gets betrayed by his evil daughters, goes mad and dies at the end of the play. *Gonaril* Evil sister #1. She tricks her father and marries Albany. Oswald is her devoted servant. She later falls for Edmund and poisons her sister. She later kills herself. *Regan* Evil sister #2. Tricks her father like Gonaril and marries Cornwall. She gets poisoned by her evil sister and dies. *Cordelia* The good sister who gets banished due to her evil sisters and naive father. She marries France and comes back to fight for Britain. She dies in the end. *Oswald* Servant of Gonaril. He does evil deeds for her. He gets killed by Edgar. *Kent* Also known as the Earl of Kent. Originally a friend of King Lear before being banished. He later fights against the forces of evil. He lives in the end, but hints that he won't live for much longer. *Albany* Also known as the Duke of Albany. He does nothing to stop his evil wife Gonaril because he's a doormat. He surprisingly lives to the end, which is sad because he should have been traded for Cordelia. *Cornwall* AKA the Duke of Cornwall. He marries Regan and is almost as evil as her. Almost. He pokes out Glouster's eyes, so a servant pokes him back with a sword. He dies from his wound. **Team Subplot** *Gloucester* Also known as Earl of Gloucester. His two sons are Edgar (Good and Legitimate) and Edmund (Evil and Illegitimate). He gets tricked by Edmund and goes blind. Edgar tricks him into not committing suicide. He dies in the end anyways. *Edmund* The evil son. He tricks his father Gloucester into thinking Edgar is the evil one. Both of the sisters identify with his evilness and want to get with him. He loses to Edgar in a duel and dies. *Edgar* The good brother and one of the only few who survive the play. His brother Edmund makes his father Gloucester think he's the evil brother. He kills Oswald and Edmund. Since every other ruler is dead, someone has to lead Britain, and it gets to be him. How lucky is he?

[@kritikaseeruttun6068]

Thank you 😊

[@hush.9955]

You really think I'm gonna read that?

[@lilahmanfredi1889]

"He does nothing to stop his evil wife Gonaril because he's a doormat." "He pokes out Glouster's eyes, so a servant pokes him back with a sword. He dies from his wound. " I LOVE THIS LMAO

[@elpeemimi6357]

Nice

[@sanskritigarg60]

It was really helpful thank you😊

[@tori9654]

The first time he matter-of-factly said "Edmund is a bastard" I laughed.

[@amorphousartist3574]

Same, I didn't realize that he would refer to its actual meaning XD It caught me off guard for sure

[@nydiae.c.cottely6974]

I guess I'm too used to Game of Thrones for that to have surprised me xD

[@pucis111]

I think it´s very important to say that when Lear asks his daughters how much they love him Cordelia is silent, because her love cannot be expressed by words. It is very very important and it should be mentioned as much as the fool-smart character with the best lines actually

[@muditjain7667]

What a crazy confusing story.

[@breh9243]

Mudit Jain freaking true. I dislike it.

[@sarangdharmishra7871]

Its a nice story how can u tell that it is a crazy story

[@halcyonsandiego]

The Kardashians

[@sacredwatermage3086]

I agree. And my teacher wants my 'in depth' analysis on it. It's honestly just a whole mess of random. I'm not gonna dance around the concepts pulling stuff outta nowhere like this is art class.

[@williammcguire130]

@@sacredwatermage3086 There's nothing random about it. This is a very confusing summary of a very well thought out play

[@amarelbarrow2500]

Literally the only reason why I love Shakespeare is because he understands the stupidity of people in power and kills them off!

[@globaldigitaldirectsubsidi4493]

the language is outdated but he has the most penetrating language skills anyone has ever had.

[@dannym6552]

Yup, usually the middle men ran circles around them - they get duped and don’t see what’s going on till the end when it’s too late ... sounds like some work places

[@irepJamGoonz]

Shakespeare is a black man

[@chrisjones8968]

@@irepJamGoonz 😂

[@imalison]

If only he were here to see Harry and Meghan. Knock wood they'll survive this mess they made.

[@rashedbasiri8937]

I'm so gonna fail my test

[@lorenacruz7387]

I'm so gonna fail my presentation

[@rashedbasiri8937]

😂😂😂 good luck

[@rubyPWNS1]

+Rashed Basiri I can do this, essay is due tomorrow but gotta work hard! Thought I would leave a optimistic comment, don't freak out others guys haha.

[@adibasyed4864]

z

[@BlahBlahBlah13623]

how'd you go?

[@alexjoker170]

Started reading comments and not paying attention to video. Now I'm confused.

[@kylasanchez]

I watched the entire video but im still so confused

[@btg.jayy9957]

same

[@LethoHali]

Alex Joker you and me both!!!! 🙆🏽‍♀️🙆🏽‍♀️🙆🏽‍♀️🙆🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

[@jlyapenn8081]

Same

[@aikaterineillt9876]

Paying attention will not make you any better off

[@Polyhat_]

totally not just learning the story now 11 hours from the exam

[@R4nd0mish]

Nintenjoey yeah my exams in 9hrs rip

[@mezmerizez]

Lol dudes, my exam is in half an hour and I'ma listening to this in 1.75x playback speed

[@StardustKiiro]

Feel u

[@xanderyusuf7494]

2 weeks away from the exam lol

[@zaynabfares1088]

2 hrs...

[@ilikejuice96]

Anybody else having a cheeky gawk before the Leaving Cert trying to find out what's the fucking story with this play?

[@SurvivalSimo]

Yeh man😂

[@Gravesock]

Yeah the actual fuck is this shit lol

[@Hairmilked]

FUUUCK

[@ThePokadot1234]

Yep 2 days :'(

[@lizunok8058]

OMG yes! I have a project that's going towards my LC premocks and I'm supposed to say that in under two mins

[@EthanLaman]

That escalated quickly

[@0hold]

People here be like "I have an exam on this tomorrow/soon" Bruh, I need to recite this entire story cuz I have a storytelling competition. I'm the one who's going to fail.

[@bronxboy101]

how did you do?

[@Mrsjudithavila]

How did you do pt.2

[@mahibnasif]

How did you do pt.3

[@c3po612]

How did you do? pt.4

[@lachlancronin4866]

@@c3po612 How did you do? pt.5

[@iangel1351]

I'm in middle school and I'm watching Shakespeare on my free time. His stories are GENIUS. I LOVE IT SOON MUCH.

[@scottandcoke1342]

It's been 8 years since your comment, come back and cringe at it

[@patricknoonan2637]

MINE TOO I haven't been reading Shakespeare back in high school. It was from my Freshman year and I read some Othello From Shakespeare.

[@emmagardner7070]

I would have to disagree where it says Gloucester is embarrassed by his affair, in the text itself he explains that yes, Edmund was born out of wedlock, but he had a good time in his conception and he is just as much his son as Edgar. It is very clear from text, or at least the adaptation I have read, that Gloucester is not embarrassed by Edmund, but rather wants Edmund to feel he is no different than Edgar. He goes around telling nobleman about his bastard son and how great he is. That doesn't sound embarrassed to me. Just food for thought.

[@vercingetorix9641]

+Emma Gardner Well, Gloucester says that has been embarrassed to reveal Edmund's parentage, but after so long he has gotten used to explaining Edmund's bastardy. I would agree that Gloucester is well-intentioned with regards to Edmund, but hearing your father say that he has been embarrassed by you for so long that he has gotten used to it (not to mention essentially saying "yup, his mother was one hot whore") is somewhat less than gratifying.

[@MissKimory]

No Gloucester is embarassed, he even says a joke about it : " I have so often blushed to acknowledge him" . Moreover he makes sex jokes about Edmund's mother in front of him. Yet he indeed says he loves them equally. (Based from the real version I'm holding in my hands)

[@MsUnicornbitch]

"I have so often blushed to acknowledge him that now I'm 'abrazed to it"

[@kayleighbrown459]

That doesn't sound like embarrassment. Not heavy shameful embarrassment anyway. The fact that he so willingly jokes about it gives me the impression that it's not a subject he tried hard to avoid, as you would expect from someone who'e embarrassed.

[@anlbaysal6047]

You may not have been read the very beginning of the play, Act I, Scene I because there is a conversation between Gloucester and The Earl of Kent where he clearly confesses what he thinks about Edmund, the bastard. By the way, it is Shakespeare, who are you to criticize his play? :)

[@connormcdonnell3061]

I love this play, one of Shakespeare's best , to those struggling , Id recommend the 1985 film "Ran" . Its a masterpiece in film making and retells the story in a Japanese setting. I usually hate it when they change the setting , but it works really well . You will understand the story a lot better .

[@oscarslater6123]

one of the greatest films of all time

[@babsbylow6869]

I'm beginning to become convinced that Kent is the hero here. Granted, he didn't do what he had set to, but he did remain loyal and true to Lear, and always did what he thought best for Lear. Including trying to provide shelter and fire on that stormy night, and send Lear off to Dover into the safety of Cordelia. Well done good friend. While he may not have succeeded in saving Lear, he is heroic.

[@Romron_Gramsay]

calm down this video is 11 years old geez you care too much about a silly video thats about an irelavant subject by an irelevaant person

[@janglinsoul]

in the english subtitles, "Goneril and Regan" is transcribed as "gonorrhea" LOL

[@Bestillivoze]

or Donger ill

[@boop99]

6 years late, but what's the difference? Lol

[@blue46547]

I think this video helps if you're studying it and really familiar with the characters and just want a quick summery. If you're new and just watching it for entertainment yes you will get extremely lost with the names!

[@mc7353]

I'm fucking confused

[@NerdGlassGamingPA]

Narry Language !

[@paralyticv0id203]

No they're right I'm f***ing confused too.

[@NerdGlassGamingPA]

Read the full text then !

[@paralyticv0id203]

I'm okay now I just read it on sparknotes.

[@rubyPWNS1]

+Emrah Ekinci Abi ingilizce yazsalar iyi olurmus ya. Resmen modern ingilizce translationunu okuyoruz.

[@kxmode]

If this were a modern movie the critics would say this is the most convoluted piece of dramatic malarkey ever conceived, but because it's from William Shakespeare everyone is like, "This story is genius!" It's crap!

[@themysticmungis2262]

It's actually a strong story. I hated Shakespeare when i was in middle school. But i now realize that his plays and stories actually make sense. I wouldn't watch his plays in my free time, but i can see why he is such an iconic author. So quit complaining. It's not like you could do any better

[@kxmode]

+Jack Julsing I watched the play performed by an great group of actors Even then it didn't make any sense while watching. It's just a confusing story all around for me.

[@afrosteeve]

+kxmode have you ever considered not being stupid?

[@kxmode]

+afrosteeve I develop and program websites so no, I'm not stupid. It simply means I don't understand the Elizabethan dialect in this play. I have no problems following Henry V and other Shakespearean plays. King Lear is just one of Shakespeare's plays I genuinely don't understand.

[@BlahBlahBlah13623]

I agree with you kxmode. I think its merit comes more from its subversion of contextual ideas because it depicts a dynamic conception of mankind as self-fashioned, and less so the entertaining value of the play.

[@deathsblossom]

Important note... 6:22 Cornwall does NOT kill the servant, Cornwall's wife, Regan does. Servant stands up for Gloucester, gets in fight with Cornwall, wounds Cornwall, who cries like a bitch. Regina makes fun of her husband for being thus, takes his sword, and kills the servant.

[@jademcl4727]

so English paper 2 is in 2 hours.........

[@ThePokadot1234]

Hush now... Don't remind me

[@naomis5613]

+Jasmine Murphy haha Ikr cant handle this

[@ThePokadot1234]

+Naomi Shofoluwe hiii. I just done my makeup while listening to this.... It's so helpful

[@naomis5613]

+Jasmine Murphy ikr

[@rosaleis6914]

I wrote my mid papers last week using these vids and got owned hard...these vids missing out on so much detail my teacher knew right away... nerdstudy vids go way more in detail but I think they're only beginning to put them up now.. i need them to be faster... my final paper is worth like 1/3 of my grade.....

[@elladungey176]

7:28 "he does all this to make Gloucester stop being suicidal" why did i laugh at how bluntly he said that

[@josh.c36]

cause it hits hard

[@themarymachine]

After re-watching this for the 8th time I finally get it! :D

[@samarbakhtiar2349]

Good on You , for your endurance!!

[@irepJamGoonz]

Shakespeare had so much material because there was a lot of things going on in the Europe at the time. Also he was just ahead of his time like that. Pure genius. I love him!

[@PlntPeace]

Talk about plots and subplots... Shakespeare could do it all and 500 years later still keep us mesmerized.

[@cheesyjollyhotdog9074]

I read the manuscript and understood nothing at all. Good thing sparknotes was blessed with such animation and modernized narration as well hahaha, cheers!

[@nicolettemarais9121]

I simply love Sparknotes videos on the different dramas and novels. It really helps my students understand the text. Please continue!!!

[@andrinaandug]

OMg Shakespeare always has those crazy stories I love that guy XD

[@GoddessGranny]

An accurate depiction of just how raw , violent power can mess up with people's head. Also, don't fear the hard times as through them you realise your true potential. Embrace the difficult moments. However pure self knowledge could prove brutal. Try not to be completely aware about yourself. Live in a little bit of a creative, positive world you have created for yourself embracing your flaws.

[@elyonlarbi6751]

All I understand from this is that almost everyone was suicidal-

[@aimen87]

All I understand is that Edmund is a bastard...

[@Samantha.Knox98]

whose killing who and whose in love with who? wot.

[@tylerdunjoshjoseph4347]

Sammy Knox all I know is there were 12 characters in the beginning and at the end there are only 2!

[@Yoyoman835]

yes

[@ceoofweblena]

@@tylerdunjoshjoseph4347 Wait ThErE wErE 12?!

[@sulepotter5519]

@@ceoofweblena Lear, Cordelia Goneril, Regan, Albany, Cornwall, Kent, Gloucester, Edmund, Edgar, Oswald, The Fool. Exactly 12. Also there is King of France too, but he is not that important

[@ceoofweblena]

@@sulepotter5519 thank you so much I-

[@c0rtin3x]

"Edgar tells Gloucester he's at the top of a cliff - though he's actually not!" The pause killed it :D

[@stevene6181]

i watched king lear on amazon prime and got most of it, felt big brain when i realized it was parent-child dynamics. but the old dialect of modern english was hard to follow at times. the pacing is insanely fast i barely had time to process each scene

[@gregorybordelon]

Sucession is the modern King Lear adaptation

[@thebonerfromhell]

Trying to learn about this to help my daughter with her tests, but holy shit, what is this guy on?

[@vesselinkrastev]

That's very useful, thanks! It helps to find a list of the characters and have a look every now and again.

[@MsUnicornbitch]

It's 5 am and my exam on this + two other texts is in 4 hours...

[@purnoorbrar5854]

p pop

[@alanniu2470]

how did it go?

[@owlslide9793]

I needed this for school. Too many people too much plots. I'm so close to ripping out my hair. I've been At this for weeks. 🙈

[@samcrackers]

holy shit i haven’t been this bored in a while

[@bretrosexual]

Love this simplified version...Thank you Sparknotes!

[@kachiedward7918]

This is soo confusing :'(

[@mstarcatcher]

Thanks for this. :) I'm doing a project for Shakespeare class at the end of the semester and I'm making a silent movie with a minute-an-act basis, and I needed to understand what exactly I was reading. So again, thanks.

[@matthewsmith6540]

I zoned out around 6 minutes in. fml

[@FanGirl171]

Matthew Czirjak I zoned out around 1 minute lol

[@matthewsmith6540]

FanGirl171 Thank God i graduated with a 58

[@ramoncoronel7288]

A good adaptation for this is the movie "Ran" from Akira Kurosawa, it's a pretty good film only instead of three daughters there is three sons in 15th century feudal Japan. A lot of the themes are similar to the original play, but has a little mix of Japanese history.

[@TheLocoUnion]

I just paid $125.00 for a ticket to see the play, and said to myself...”I better find out what this thing is all about!” Now after making serious notes and playing this video five times... I think I got it! When you get into it... it’s really very exciting and absolutely insane! I can’t wait to see it!

[@premieressaysonline2459]

Love these play summaries

[@jamescarlyle2630]

How on earth did Shakespeare get away with the plot device at 7:15 it's an absolute shambles.

[@jwichmann1306]

these little sparknotes clips are great, very helpful.

[@beansbaby1501]

My school just did this play!After watching it I was very confused, so now I’m here.

[@orcasmicyt6423]

i watch and hear whole story ,having characters list in my hand...it helped me much better to understand thanks a lot😘

[@ronnas4592]

Everyone is saying they are here for a reason while I was just curious what happens cause at school we read a very short part and I wanted to know the whole story

[@HonestlyJustSomeGuy]

Having some labels over the characters' heads might help for those following at home. I know the video is almost nine years old at the time I'm writing this. I didn't have to work with this play in school, but this wouldn't help me much if I did.

[@moeinamj9080]

watching this before my test :)

[@aimen87]

Me too bro

[@TheButlerboi]

I am performing im a 48 hour production of this and this has helped me a great deal! :D thankyou!

[@radicallyalyssa]

This video is amazing. The drawings are wonderful, too! Thanks!

[@Oscar101101101]

Love this play.

[@varadarajdevika3410]

Its actuly a good video of the play in short! Thank you so much!🙏

[@xForgeMusic]

We're reading this in school and I fucking lost

[@xForgeMusic]

Thanks

[@halcyonsandiego]

+XXX welcome

[@jasonhamill7217]

Who else is watching this because they’re screwed for the Leaving

[@MrHD71]

p1 fucked us real hard

[@youngfiloo]

hows the leaving cert go

[@NM-vs5lg]

One of the most confused tragedies of shakes.

[@Shah_200]

My final exam on Monday and I still haven’t finished my study but listen to this explanation😂 Wish me luck guys😆

[@april9586]

This was so helpful, thank you!

[@shotsy5]

damn you Sparknotes!

[@DUDETHISCOMMENTISSOGODDAMNLONG]

shakespeare is a part of every novel, movie, tv show, that you ever read or watch

[@jean-jacqueslaunay8330]

Very useful before reading the full text. All things considered, I have not to do it ... From now on I can boast about my knowledge about Shakespeare! What a time saving!

[@justinc.9565]

This plays actually pretty good

[@EverythingShakespeare]

Great illustration

[@flailingwings]

@Briluvr "And I shall go to sleep at noon." It's another double meaning that the fool is constantly spouting throughout the play. Basically it means he died. Most likely of a broken heart like most every other character in the play.

[@angelgirl8533]

Awesome play.

[@sonushekhawat3771]

Thanx it really helped me near exams.

[@priyashachugh6019]

Thank you spark notes you saved me ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@paintw1zard1377]

AP classes are the advanced classes you can take in high school that are collage prep classes if you get an A in it, it adds a point to your average. they are usually very difficult

[@destinyRB]

Very nice and helpful video. All the names are really confusing but that's not the fault of the video. :) Thanks for uploading!

[@Audioventura]

I think this summary is really unprecise, particularly if you have digged through critical reception of King Lear - yet I find it might make the actual of the reading play more easy

[@Vanillaqyoo]

Thank you!

[@NCX-mt5sy]

This is actually harder then pure mathematics!

[@FrostedPingu]

Much appreciated, thanks!

[@Zorrko20]

Amazing *-*

[@the3rdquark]

Actually Regan kills the servant, not Cornwall. And at the end, Albany decides that Edgar will be the ruler. This was a really good review of the story, though -- thanks!

[@sarahwalter7198]

The ending always makes me sad

[@ceoofweblena]

Teacher: Write an advertisement for this play Me: WARNING: Super confusing, please don't proceed unless you have *big brain*

[@MachineGecko1]

Very helpful video, thanks!

[@sleeplessdoe2097]

I hate sounding like "that" teenager but Shakespeare's plays are amazingly complicated! Also it seems like almost everyone is his plays get drugged, murdered, or just plain old commit suicide. Ex. A midsummer nights dream, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, etc.

[@foufou6971]

Please Continue with such videos.I'm from Iraq.

[@shockman2178]

First rule of a Shakespeare Tradegy: if your name is in the title, you’re going to die

[@MrLaxdude89]

I'm watching this to be content until I watch the movie, because I don't have the time right now. I read the play, and I find it very funny that the hair colors assigned to Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia are the exact same as the way I pictured them

[@KevinAlexandair]

So good!

[@heidifernhout1983]

i liked kandee kane, the drum blonde's interpretation on her channel....done for a class presentation which received highest marks!

[@imsoamped]

SO MANY DAMN CHARACTERS

[@abitofajoke4708]

I'm playing Edmund in a production of this and finally had to just watch the summary video because I have absolutely no idea what's going on, it's so confusing...

[@nicholasdruce5346]

Freshman = Romeo and Juliet Sophomore = Macbeth Junior = King Lear Senior = Hamlet (My Junior year had "Of Mice and Men".)

[@skmohammadilias8460]

Thanku so mch❤ from India

[@aleshbaanser6628]

So helpful!

[@SpacePineapple]

Gloucester did not see that coming