King Lear, knowing he is growing old, decides to divide his king among his three daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Lear asks his daughters how much they love him. Goneril and Regan flatter their way into winning his affection, but Cordelia, the youngest daughter, tells Lear there are no words to describe how much she loves him. Angered, Lear banishes her from the kingdom. However, Cordelia is courted by the King of France and they marry without his consent.
Later, there is a big storm brewing and Lear seeks shelter from his eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan, but they refuse to shelter. This drives Lear mad and he runs off into the storm with Kent, a nobleman, following him disguised as a peasant. Gloucester, one of Lear’s nobleman, is blinded by Regan and her husband Cornwall. He is led by his son Edgar to a city where Lear resides. As France plans an invasion, Goneril and Edmund, Gloucester’s other son, conspire to kill Goneril’s husband Albany.
As this is happening, Lear later discovers that he was not a good king to his people and swears to change for the better. Meanwhile, he is discovered by Cordelia, who forgives him, and is captured by the English. Goneril poisons Regan, and then commits suicide when her treachery is discovered. Cordelia is then executed, and Lear, broken at the loss of his family, passes away from grief.
Humanity of the Kings 