In his 1681 version of King Lear, Cordelia survived to marry Edgar, caring for her elderly father until his death. Nahum Tate, who was appointed Poet Laureate in 1642, re-wrote a number of Shakespeare's plays to provide them with happy endings.Shakespeare drew on a number of sources to write King Lear, but every version except his ends happily.In the Quarto, the final words of the play are given to Goneril's husband, the Duke of Albany, but the editors of the First Folio chose to have them spoken by Edgar. Directors of King Lear have two versions of the text to work with: the Folio and the Quarto.Lear dies of grief when he learns that both Gloucester and the Fool are also dead. Cordelia is hanged on Edmund's instructions. Goneril kills herself after poisoning Regan. Edmond's plotting is exposed and he is killed by Edgar in a duel. The king recovers his wits and is reconciled with Cordelia.Įdmund reveals that he has seduced both sisters and that he intends to kill both Lear and Cordelia if his side wins the battle.Ĭordelia's army loses and both she and Lear are sent to prison. Lear and Cordelia are reunited (Act 4 Scene 6) Lear is found and helped by Cordelia's troops. Gloucester, led by Poor Tom, is saved from suicide by his son's trickery. Gloucester and Lear are rescued (Act 4 Scene 5) Cornwall is killed by one of his own servants.Ĭordelia searches for her father (Act 4 Scene 3)Īs they prepare for battle, Cordelia and her army hear news of the mad king and set out to find him. His eyes are pulled out and he is thrown out of his home unattended. Gloucester is accused of treachery by Goneril and Regan for having sent Lear to Dover to meet Cordelia's army. Lear, Kent and the Fool meet Edgar, disguised as Poor Tom, on the heath and are persuaded to take secret refuge in Gloucester's home. In parallel to Lear's actions, Gloucester is deceived by his son Edmund and doubts the loyalty of his other son, Edgar.Įnraged by his daughters' refusal to allow him to keep 100 knights to attend him, Lear and his Fool depart into the stormy night alone. He banishes Cordelia and splits his land between his other two daughters.Įdmund deceives Gloucester (Act 1 Scene 2) King Lear announces his intention to divide his kingdom into three and asks which of his daughters loves him most.
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