King Lear Characters
Every major character in King Lear by William Shakespeare, with a portrait, who they are and the chapters they appear in.
GloucesterMajor character · 16 chaptersAn old earl and loyal courtier to Lear whose misplaced trust in Edmund leads to brutal punishment and late, painful insight.
KentMajor character · 15 chaptersA blunt, fiercely loyal nobleman who remains with and protects King Lear despite banishment and danger.
King LearProtagonist · 14 chaptersA proud aging king who divides his kingdom, seeks public declarations of love, and is undone by his daughters' ingratitude.
EdmundAntagonist · 13 chaptersGloucester’s illegitimate son who schemes to overturn inheritance and rise by deceit and violence.
GonerilAntagonist · 12 chaptersEldest daughter of King Lear: polished, manipulative, who plots to strip her father of power and advance her own interests.
ReganMajor character · 12 chaptersElder daughter of King Lear, wife of the Duke of Cornwall, ambitious and coldly practical.
CordeliaMajor character · 11 chaptersYoungest daughter of King Lear who refuses false flattery and remains honest, loyal, and compassionate toward her father.
EdgarMajor character · 11 chaptersGloucester’s legitimate son who becomes the disguised beggar “Poor Tom,” surviving, guiding his blind father and unmasking Edmund.
AlbanyMajor character · 10 chaptersDuke of Albany, a mild, courteous noble who prefers moderation and justice over aggression.
CornwallAntagonist · 10 chaptersDuke of Cornwall: proud, forceful noble who enforces Regan’s will and brutalizes Gloucester in pursuit of power.
OswaldMinor character · 10 chaptersGoneril’s brisk, obsequious steward who delivers orders, enforces her will, and ultimately dies carrying incriminating letters.
The FoolMajor character · 9 chaptersKing Lear’s witty, biting companion who speaks truth and keeps the king tethered to reality.- GGentlemanMinor character · 7 chaptersA loyal attendant and witness who brings news, helps search for Lear, and reports events to key figures.
- LLearProtagonist · 4 chaptersA once-mighty king undone by familial betrayal, descending into madness and seeking reconciliation with Cordelia.
- SServantsMinor character · 4 chaptersAnonymous household and court attendants who enforce orders, carry out violence, and tidy up scenes of power and cruelty.
- SSoldiersMinor character · 3 chaptersRank-and-file military men who serve the various commanders, carry orders, and guard prisoners in the camps near Dover and the French camp.
All chapter summaries ›Characters ›
Read King Lear illustrated
Every scene in these notes comes from the Book2Life reader, where the full public-domain text is illustrated as you read, with character portraits and narration. Free in your browser and on iPhone.
