ملخص مسرحية الملك لير King Lear summary

King Lear Summary


Act I.

Shakespeare's dark tragedy, King Lear begins with the fictional King of England, King Lear, handing over his kingdom to daughters Regan and Goneril whom he believes truly love him. King Lear intends to stay with each daughter consecutively, accompanied by one hundred loyal knights.

Angry that Cordelia his youngest daughter does not appear to love him as do Goneril and Regan, Lear banishes his youngest daughter Cordelia, and Kent, the servant who attempts to defend her. Cordelia leaves and is taken by the King of France as his Queen...

Edmund, the loved but illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester plots to have his elder brother Edgar's reputation ruined. Edmund tricks his father Gloucester into believing that Edgar wanted to kill him...

The disrespectful Goneril conspires to have her guest and father, King Lear, driven out of her house.

Kent, who has now disguised his identity to serve King Lear, earns King Lear's respect by defending his name. Goneril offends King Lear and dismisses fifty of his knights. Lear starts to realize Cordelia was not so disrespecting. Lear decides to leave for Regan where he is sure to be treated properly...

Lear instructs Kent to deliver several letters to Gloucester. The Fool teaches Lear several riddles.

Act II.

We learn of possible conflict between evil sisters Regan and Goneril. Edmund further manipulates Edgar. Gloucester learns from Edmund of Edgar's plan to kill him and believes it...

Kent and Oswald, Goneril's steward fight. Kent is placed in stocks emphasizing just how little Lear's name is now respected by daughters Regan and Goneril...

Edgar, now alone and disguised, describes his fate of living in hiding.

Showing complete disregard for King Lear's authority, Kent remains in stocks. Lear tells Regan how much Goneril has hurt him. Regan in consultation with Goneril, allows Lear to stay but without a single follower. Lear decides not to stay with either daughter...

Act III.

The King of France may well invade England. Kent sends a messenger to Cordelia to keep her aware of King Lear's plight... Lear braves the elements against a storm, no doubt symbolic of his tortured soul...

Gloucester lets slip to his traitorous son Edmund that the army of France is poised to invade, guaranteeing Gloucester's own future suffering. We learn more of a potential conflict between Regan and Goneril, centering on their husbands...

Lear is brought out of the elements. Lear explains that nature's physical torment of him distracted him from the pain his daughters have given him.

Edgar, Gloucester's legitimate son, makes his appearance, disguised as "poor Tom." Cornwall, Regan's husband and Edmund speak. After implicating his father Gloucester as a traitor against Cornwall, Edmund is rewarded for betraying his father Gloucester by receiving his father's title as the new Earl of Gloucester.

Cornwall tells Edmund to seek out his father saying "he may be ready for our apprehension" or punishment.

Lear and company find solace and safety in a farmhouse. Lear, showing signs of madness, holds a mock trial to punish his daughters addressing two joint stools as if they were Regan and Goneril. Kent leads Lear to Dover where he will be safe...

Gloucester is captured and tortured first having his beard ripped away and later being made blind. Unable to bear Cornwall's brutality any longer, a servant wounds Cornwall...

Act IV.

Gloucester now blind, realizes in his suffering his mistakes, especially about his son Edgar. Gloucester meets "poor Tom" not realizing it is Edgar in disguise. Edgar leads his father to the cliffs of Dover where his father wishes to commit suicide.

The Duke of Albany renounces his wife Goneril, realizing that he has been on the wrong side... The Duke of Cornwall (Regan's husband) is now dead. The rivalry for Edmund by Regan and Goneril intensifies.

Kent wonders how Cordelia can be so good and her sisters so evil. The King of France will not oversee the battle about to begin. Cordelia is saddened by what she learns of King Lear's plight...

Cordelia has her men search for her father... With the battle almost about to start, we learn Albany has switched sides again, supporting Goneril and Regan's forces against the invading French.

Regan worries more about her sister's intentions for Edmund more than the battle that lies ahead... Edgar continues to lead his father to the cliffs of Dover where he tricks him that he miraculously survived his fall. Lear learns of Gloucester's blindness.

Edgar kills Oswald when he attempts to kill Gloucester. Oswald's letter, which comes from Goneril, reveals instructions for Edmund to kill her husband, The Duke of Albany so she may marry him. Cordelia finds her father Lear who deeply regrets how he treated her...

Act V.

Regan and Goneril put Edmund on the spot by demanding he choose for once and for all, which one of them he loves. Albany decides to fight on Regan and Goneril's side but only to fight an invading power (France).

Cordelia's forces lose to Goneril and Regan's and Cordelia and Lear are taken prisoner. Captured, King Lear tries to comfort Cordelia. Albany congratulates his allies but now turns on them. Edgar fights his brother Edmund, mortally wounding him. Goneril kills herself and poisons sister Regan.

Edgar reveals his true identity to Gloucester who dies from a heart unable to take both grief and joy. Albany and the dying Edmund try to prevent Lear and Cordelia being hanged but are too late for Cordelia.

Lear howls with pain his loss of Cordelia. Kent is finally recognized for his loyalty by Lear. Lear, unable to take further pain, dies. Albany is left to restore order following this tragedy...

Shakespeare's tragedy


Short Summary


Act I:

The Earls Kent and Gloucester discuss the division of King Lear's kingdom. Lear has divided the kingdom into three parts, allotting the largest to Cordelia, his most favored of the three daughters. Lear first addresses his two eldest daughters, asking them to express their love for him before they and their husbands will receive the land he has allotted for them. It is a selfish request and Goneril, the eldest, responds readily. Regan answers his request next, attempting to outdo her sister, and thus says that she has given all of her love to Lear. Cordelia finds her sisters extremely boorish in their exaggerated and completely insincere flattery and refuses to participate. Upon her turn, she tells Lear that she loves him as her duty as a daughter requires but no more, as she will save some of her love for her soon to be husband. Lear becomes extremely angry but Cordelia still refuses to stoop to the level of her sisters. As a result, Lear strips Cordelia of her inheritance and her title. Kent steps in to support Cordelia's behavior but Lear will hear none of it. Insulted by Kent's opposition, Lear banishes him from the kingdom. The suitors then learn of Cordelia's position. Burgundy cannot accept her as a mate without the promised entitlements but France finds her more endearing in her sincerity and makes her his wife, Queen of France. Goneril and Regan plot to take all of Lear's power out of his hands quickly.

Edmund, Gloucester's bastard son, vows to steal the land and legitimacy of his half brother Edgar by manipulating both father and brother against each other. His father sees him hiding a letter he is carrying and forces him to show it. It is a fabricated letter from Edgar asking for Edmund's help in overturning their father. Gloucester is enraged but Edmund tells him to not jump to conclusions until he can arrange a meeting between himself and Edgar. Edmund then finds Edgar and *****s him to Gloucester's anger, suggesting he flee to Edmund's house and stay armed.

Lear resides with Goneril, who plans to drive him out of her residence and to her sister's by pretending that his knights and servants are creating havoc. She orders her servants to treat Lear coldly. Kent returns disguised and becomes Lear's servant, Caius. Lear is outraged at Goneril's charges and the coldness against him and his train. He curses Goneril and her unborn children before leaving for Regan's home. Albany reproaches Goneril for her treatment of Lear. Goneril sends her servant, Oswald, to warn her sister.

Act II:

Edmund hears from a courier that there are rumors of conflict between Albany and Cornwall. He uses this idea when he encounters Edgar, informing him that he has offended both parties and is in danger. Upon hearing Gloucester, Edmund has Edgar draw his sword and then run off. Edmund wounds himself and pretends it was received in his duel with Edgar because Edgar had wished to kill Gloucester. Gloucester sends men out to capture Edgar and promises Edmund the land to which he has never been privileged. Regan and Cornwall, who have traveled to Gloucester's castle to escape Lear's arrival, hear of Edgar's betrayal and place their trust with Edmund.

Oswald and Kent meet at Gloucester's castle, both delivering messages. Kent insults him for his previous treatment of Lear and begins to strike him. The noise brings Cornwall, Regan, Gloucester, and Edmund. Cornwall and Regan place Kent in the stocks as punishment. Lear arrives to find him there but cannot believe his own daughter and son-in-law were responsible. His Fool continuously ridicules his choices: chastising Cordelia, trusting his other daughters, and giving up his authority. Lear sends Gloucester for Regan and Cornwall but they refuse to see Lear until he threatens to wake them himself. They feign happiness in seeing him. Lear entreats Regan to feel sympathy for him because of Goneril's treatment of him but Regan instead says he should return to her for the intended month and apologize.

As Goneril arrives, he finally asks who put Kent in the stocks. Cornwall admits to it. Goneril and Regan unite to oppose Lear, claiming that he does not need one hundred knights and servants. When Regan proclaims that he could only have twenty-five with her, he wishes to return to Goneril whose previous promise of fifty must mean she loves him more. The two sisters then lower the size of a train they will allow to ten, then five, and then none. Lear is outraged and wishes to be with neither daughter, escaping out into the woods. Gloucester pleads with them to allow Lear back inside as a storm is approaching, but they refuse.

Act III:

Kent encounters one of Lear's train and sends him to Dover with his purse and a ring to show Cordelia if he sees her. He is to fill her and the others in as to Lear's condition and treatment. Lear is quickly becoming one with the storm as he approaches madness, though he reasons that the heavens owe him less than his daughters did. He rages on and on about betrayal and filial ingratitude. Lear admits that he has sinned but recognizes too that he was even more sinned against. Kent tries to get Lear inside a hovel for ****ter. The Fool prophecies that when men are honest and sincere, England will fall apart. Lear sends the Fool into the hovel first but he comes out screaming when he meets Edgar disguised as the beggar, poor Tom of Bedlam. Tom's babble illustrates his demonic madness and Lear believes that he must have suffered from ungrateful daughters. Tom tells his history as a servingman given over to lust, bringing Lear to question the make up of man. Lear himself approaches unaccommodated, essential man. He attempts to strip off his clothes but the Fool stops him.

Gloucester confides in Edmund that he has received a letter with news of a movement to avenge the King. He tells him to remain silent on the issue. Gloucester then goes to find Lear, unable to follow the orders of Regan and Goneril, and hopes to take Lear to ****ter. Lear would rather stay to talk with Tom, the "philosopher". Kent suggests that Tom accompany Lear to ****ter and they move to it. The Fool, Lear, and Tom muse over the definition of a madman. Lear decides to hold a mock trial for Regan and Goneril and indict them for their offenses, placing the Fool and Tom as the judges. Lear has lost his wits. Gloucester returns with news of Regan and Goneril's plot against Lear's life. He has secured transportation for him and sends him off to Dover. Edgar remains.

Edmund eagerly uses Gloucester's confidence to forward his means by divulging it to Cornwall. He pretends to be sad that he is betraying his father. Cornwall makes him the new Earl of Gloucester, accepts him as a son, and calls for a search for Gloucester. He then sends Goneril and Edmund to Albany so that Edmund will not be present for his father's punishment. Regan and Goneril call for Gloucester to be hanged or blinded. Gloucester is brought to Regan and Cornwall, who tie him up. Gloucester is shocked by the rudeness of his guests. Once they tell him they have his letter, he admits that he has sent Lear to Dover because of the horrible cruelty of his daughters. Cornwall blinds one of Gloucester's eyes. A servant interjects angrily, wounding Cornwall, and Regan slays him. Cornwall then blinds the other eye as well and Regan notifies Gloucester that Edmund was the one who informed against him. Gloucester realizes that he has wronged Edgar. He is turned out into the storm, aided by a few loyal servants.

Act IV:

Gloucester is led by an old man though he wishes to be left alone. He prays to be able to see his son Edgar again. When they come upon poor Tom, Gloucester chooses to allow Tom to lead him because the time had come where madmen were leading the blind. Gloucester asks to be taken to a high cliff in Dover where he can commit suicide. He gives Tom his purse in an effort to better balance the economic inequality of the world. When they reach Dover, Edgar tricks his father into thinking his has climbed the steep hill. Thus when he tries to fall of the cliff, he merely falls flat. Before he falls, he blesses Edgar. Edgar runs back to him, pretending to be another stranger, and tells him that it was a miracle that he fell and did not die. He explains that a spirit left him at the summit, insinuating that poor Tom was a spirit and Gloucester believes him, though depressed that he is not even allowed death.

Goneril and Edmund are greeted by Oswald who *****s them to Albany's reverse in attitude. He is pleased by the invasion of France and displeased by Edmund. Goneril sends Edmund back to Cornwall, with a vow to unite as mates and rulers. She finds her husband enraged against her for the treatment he has heard she and Regan bore against Lear. He would tear her apart if she were not a woman. He then learns that Gloucester has been blinded and that Cornwall died from a wound caused by the servant defending him. Goneril feels torn about Cornwall's death. Albany learns that Edmund informed against Gloucester and he promises to avenge Gloucester's blindness. Regan is then greeted by Oswald. She remarks that they should have killed Gloucester as his situation arouses too much sympathy. Edmund is supposed to be looking for him. She is worried that Edmund and her sister are planning to become intimate and she warns Oswald to remind Edmund of the promises he has made to her.

Kent meets the gentleman he sent ahead to Dover and learns that the King of France has had to return, though Cordelia and others remain. He asks how Cordelia received his message and is told that she was a mixture of smiles and tears. Lear has not yet been reconciled to Cordelia because he is too ashamed to face her. She worries that he has gone completely mad but the doctor assures her that rest should help. Lear stumbles upon Gloucester and Edgar, rambling about the manipulation of his daughters and the evil nature of women. He recognizes Gloucester's voice and mentions, ignorant of Edmund's betrayal, how his adulterous ways have been more fortunate than Lear's legitimate ones. Lear tells him that blindness should in fact help him to see and that pretense is the largest flaw of most in authority. Cordelia's gentlemen find Lear and try to bring him to her but he thinks he is being captured and runs away.

Oswald tracks Gloucester down and hopes to kill him. Edgar intercedes. They fight and Oswald falls. He tells Edgar to give the letter he was carrying to Edmund. Edgar is infuriated to find that the letter is from Goneril and is in reference to her wish to kill Albany and marry Edmund. Lear has been found and given a sleeping drug by Cordelia's doctor. Cordelia thanks Kent for all of his support and goodwill toward the King. She bemoans the the horrific treatment her sisters have shown him. Lear is brought into them, barely awake and does not recognize them. Finally he understands that he is with Cordelia but is still very confused.

Act V:

Regan questions Edmund as to his relationship with Goneril. He promises that he is not intimately involved with her. Goneril notes that she would rather lose to France than to her sister for Edmund's hand. Goneril and Albany discuss the importance of being united with Regan to face France. Edgar, still disguised, finds Albany and passes on the letter from Goneril. Edgar tells him to call by herald if he is needed again. Edmund soliloquizes on the question of which sister to choose and decides to takes Goneril if she manages to kill Albany. He is most concerned with ruling a reunited Britain.

The battle begins. Cordelia and Lear lead one army. Edgar leaves Gloucester safely while he fights on their side. Edgar returns after the quick off stage war with the news that Lear and Cordelia have been taken prisoner. Edmund is in charge of them and has them sent away to prison. Cordelia tries to be strong and Lear hopes the time will be one where they can catch up and talk about life. Edmund hands a death note to a captain of his to carry out. Albany praises Edmund for his acts of battle but reminds him he is a subordinate. Edmund lies, saying that Cordelia and Lear are merely being retained. Regan declares that as her new partner Edmund is an equal, which incites Goneril's jealousy. Albany responds with a claim of treason and challenges Edmund to a duel. Ill, Regan is escorted out. The herald sounds the trumpet three times and a disguised Edgar appears to fight Edmund. Edmund falls but Albany spares him until he can incriminate him. Albany quiets Goneril with the her letter though she maintains she is above any law as she is the ruler of it. She flees his anger. Edmund admits his guilt and Edgar reveals himself. In response to Albany's questioning, Edgar explains how he had been disguised as a beggar and that he has led and cared for Gloucester until his death. He died, overwhelmed by happiness and sadness, shortly after Edgar revealed his identity to him. Edgar was then met by Kent who also told of his disguise, Lear's state, and his own coming death.

A gentleman brings in the knife Goneril used to kill herself after admitting that she poisoned Regan. The bodies are called for. Kent comes hoping to bid Lear goodbye which reminds Albany to ask about Lear and Cordelia's condition. Edmund informs them that he and Goneril had ordered Cordelia hanged so that it would look like a suicide. A servant tries to stop it but Lear enters with Cordelia's body. He had killed the man who hanged her but she does not live. Lear is inconsolable. Kent tries to say goodbye to him but Lear barely recognizes him and likely does not understand that he has been undercover as his servant Caius all along. They are told Edmund is dead. Albany gives Lear back absolute rule and Kent and Edgar their rights. Still swooning for Cordelia, Lear dies. Albany then gives Kent and Edgar shared rule but Kent notes he will soon follow Lear, thus leaving Edgar as the next King.


رد: King Lear Short Summary
This is translation of the play King Lear


كان الملك لير ملكا على بريطانيا .. وكانت له ثلاث بنات .. البنت الكبرى .. جونريل متزوجة من دوق البانى .. و البنت الوسطي ريجان متزوجة من دوق كورنول .. أما البنت الصغرى كورديليا فقد كانت غير متزوجة .. وتقدم الى خطبتها كل من ملك فرنسا و دوق برجاندى اللذين كانا موجودين بقصر الملك لير عندما بدأت أحداث تلك المسرحية .

كان الملك لير وقتئذ عجوزا تجاوز الأعوام الثمانين .. وشعر بان الوقت قد حان ليتخفف من أعباء حكم مملكته لذلك قرر أن يقسم المملكة بين بناته الثلاث على ان يتحدد نصيب كل منهن بحسب ما تقوله من كلمات تعبر عن حبها لأبيها ..
وهكذا استدعى الملك لير بناته الثلاث وطلب من كل واحدة منهن ان تعبر عن مدى حبها له ..
ولان البنت الكبرى جونريل كانت على قدر كبير من المكر و الدهاء . و القدرة على تنميق الكلمات فقد قالت أنها تحب أباها بما تعجز الكلمات عن وصفه وان أباها اعز من عينيها وحريتها وحياتها كلها وأعجب الملك لير بكلام ابنته الكبرى فوهبها هي وزوجها دوق البانى ثلث مملكته

وكانت البنت الوسطي ريجان لا تقل عن أختها مكرا و دهاءا .وقدرة على تزويق الكلام فقالت ان كل متع الدنيا لا تقارن بالسعادة التى تحسها بسبب حبها لأبيها .. وأعجب الملك لير بكلام ابنته الوسطي فوهبها وزوجها الدوق كورنول الثلث الثاني من مملكته

وكانت البنت الصغرى كورديليا تدرك مدى الزيف فى كلمات كل من اختيها وتعرف ان كل واحدة منهما قالت كلماتها المنمقة والمزوقة رغبة فى الحصول على اكبر جزء من اموال أبيها .. ولذلك فقد أثرت هي ان يكون حبها لأبيها صامتا وصادقا فى نفس الوقت وقالت أنها تحب أباها طبقا للأصول الواجبة باعتبارها ابنته ..


بهت الملك لير عندما سمع تلك الكلمات الجافة من ابنته الصغرى .. كورديليا فقد توقع ان تكون كلمات هذه الابنة الأثيرة لديه أكثر رقة وأجمل تعبيرا من الكلمات التى قالتها كل من اختيها


وعندما طلب منها الملك ان تهذب حديثها وتختار كلمات أخرى رقيقة وجميلة قالت كورديليا أنها تحب والدها الذي أنجبها وأحسن تربيتها وعلمها الطاعة و الصدق ولذلك فهي لا تستطيع ان تقول مثل اختيها بأنها لا تحب احد غيره فى هذا العالم لان معنى ذلك أنها ستقصر حبها على أبيها وحده ولن تحب أحدا سواه ولو كان زوجها وأبناءها

ولان الملك لير كان عجوزا هرما فقد افقده السن قدرته على التمييز السليم بين الكلام الصادق الذى يخرج من القلب والكلام الزائف الذى قد ينطق به اللسان لذلك فقد اعتقد ان ابنته كورديليا تتكبر عليه فضب غضبا شديدا وقرر ان يحرمها من الحصول على اى جزء من مملكته بل وأعطى الثلث الباقى من المملكة مناصفة بين الاختين جونريل وزجها دوق البانى وريجان وزوجها دوق كورنول

الملك كل رجال الدولة الذين كانوا موجودين بالقصر وتنازل أمامهم عن تاجه لابنتيه الكبرى و الوسطي كما تنازل لهما عن جميع سلطاته فى الحكم على ان يحتفظ لنفسه فقط بلقب الملك وبحقه فى ان يقيم طوال حياته لمدة شهر بالتناوب فى قصر كل من ابنتيه ومعه مائة من فرسانه

أصيب النبلاء ورجال القصر بدهشة شديدة من تصرف الملك على هذا النحو الخاطىء وغير العاقل وحزنوا كثيرا لمصير الابنة الصغرى كورديليا التى كانت اكثر صدقا من اختيها ومع ذلك فقد كان عليها ان تواجه هذا المصير التعس.. ولكن أحدا من هؤلاء النبلاء لم يستطع ان يعترض على تصرف الملك فلزموا الصمت ولم ينطقوا بكلمة فيما عدا النبيل ايرل كنت الذى كان اكثر النبلاء أخلاصا للملك فقد تجرأ ونطق ببعض كلمات طيبة فى صالح كورديليا فغضب الملك وطلب من ان يسكت والا أمر بإعدامه

لم يهتم ايرل كنت بتهديد الملك فواصل كلامه الطيب فى نصح الملك الذى استشاط غضبا وأمر بطرد ايرل كنت من القصر وبنفيه من البلاد كلها وأعطاه خمسة أيام ليرحل وإذا بقى فى المملكة حتى اليوم السادس فسوف ينفذ فيه حكم الإعدام


أما كورديليا فأصبحت الآن لا تملك سوى نفسها فتراجع دوق برجاندى عن طلب يدها للزواج ولكن ملك فرنسا لمس من تصرف هذه الابنة الطيبة مع أبيها أنها مخلصة وصادقة ومن معدن نفيس طيب لذلك فقد أصر على طلب يدها لتصبح زوجته وتصبح بالتالي ملكة على فرنسا

وودعت كورديليا أباها وأختيها وطلبت منهما ان تكونا رحيمتين بابيهما وان تعاملاه معاملة حسنة وهكذا رحلت كورديليا الى فرنسا وقلبها مفعم بالحزن على أبيها وعلى المصير الذى تتوقعه من جانب اختيها المخادعتين

وبدا الملك لير إقامته لمدة شهر فى قصر ابنته الكبرى جونريل على ان يقيم فى الشهر التالي فى قصر ابنته الوسطي ريجان ثم يعود للإقامة فى قصر جونريل لمدة شهر وهكذا

ولكن وقبل ان ينقضي الشهر الاول الذى قضاه الملك لير فى قصر ابنته الكبرى بدأ يكتشف الفرق الهائل بين الواقع المرير و الوعود الزائفة التى قطعتها الابنة على نفسها حين أعلنت قبول إقامة الملك فى قصرها ومعه فرسانه المائة

لقد ضاقت الابنة الجحودة بابيها وفرسانه بل طلبت من خدم القصر بان يتغافلوا عن تلبية طلباته وان يتظاهروا بعدم سماعه

وكان النبيل ايرل كنت قد قرر البقاء فى بريطانيا متخفيا ليظل فى خدمة مليكه فخلع ملابسه الفاخرة وارتدى ملابس الخدم وانتحل لنفسه اسما جديدا هو كايوس والتحق بخدمة الملك لير ليكون بقربه بصفة دائمة

ولا حظ كايوس ان احد الخدم بإيعاز من جونريل نفسها قد عامل الملك بطريقة خالية من الاحترام الواجب فقام كايوس على الفور بضرب هذا الخادم غير المؤدب وطرحه أرضا وهكذا حاز الخادم كايوس وهو فى الوقت نفسه ايرل كنت المتخفي ثقة الملك لير وحبه

وعلى عادة ملوك هذا الزمان كان الملك يحتفظ بمهرج ليضحكه وكثيرا ما كان هذا المهرج يقول كلمات مرحة يسخر فيها من حماقة الملك حين قسم مملكته الى قسمين اعطاهما لابنتين جاحدتين

وأخيرا جاءت اللحظة التى فهم فيها الملك لير أسباب ودوافع المعاملة السيئة التى كانت تعامله بها ابنته .. فقد أعلنت جونريل بكل وضوح وبكل تذمر أنها لا تطيق أباها الذى أصبح مخرفا ولا تطيق فرسانه المائة الذين يملؤن القصر بالضجيج ولا يفعلون شيئا سوى أكل الطعام كما قالت أنها لا تستطيع تحمل تكاليف كل هؤلاء الفرسان وانه من الأفضل للملك ان يطردهم جميعا وان يحتفظ فقط ببعض كبار السن منهم

صدم الملك لير بعدما سمع هذا الكلام البغيض وأحس بمدى عقوق ابنته جونريل فاخذ يلعنها ويدعو الله ان يحرمها من إنجاب الأطفال او ان تنجب ابنة تذيقها كاس الهوان لتحس بالعذاب الذى يحسه الآباء من عقوق الأبناء لان الابن العاق يسبب الما لوالديه أقسى من لدغة الثعبان

وقرر الملك لير ان يغادر قصر ابنته جونريل ومعه فرسانه ليذهب ويقيم مع ابنته الوسطي ريجان وأرسل خادمه كايوس برسالة الى ابنته يطلب منها فيها ان تستعد لاستقباله

ولكن الابنة جونريل أرسلت رسالة اخرى الى اختها تطلب منها الا تستقبل اباها ومعه كل هؤلاء الفرسان و الأتباع و كان الخادم الذى يحمل هذه الرسالة هو نفسه الخادم الذى ضربه كايوس وطرحه أرضا لذلك فقد ارتاب كايوس فى امر هذا الرسول و امر الرسالة التى يحملها
وذلك حين قابله مصادفة بالقرب من قصر ريجان فوجه اليه كلاما عنيفا اهانه فيه وطلب منه ان يبارزه ولكن الخادم رفض المبارزة فاضطر كايوس الى ان يوسعه ضربا

وصل امر هذا الشجار الذى حدث بين رسول جونريل ورسول الملك الى أسماع ريجان وزوجها دوق كورنول فأمرا على الفور بالقبض على كايوس رسول الملك وشده الى آلة التعذيب الرهيبة

وحين وصل الملك لير وفرسانه الى قصر ريجان وشاهد خادمه كايوس مشدودا الى الة التعذيب امتلاء قلبه بالحزن و الخوف وعندما طلب مقابلة ابنته وزوجها اخبره الخدم بانهما متعبان ولن يستطيعا مقابلته فغضب الملك غضبا شديدا واخذ يصيح صيحات يائسة تعبر عن كل ما كان يشعره من هوان ومرارة

واخيرا جاءت ابنته ريجان لتحيته ولكنها كانت تتابط ذراع اختها جونريل التى كانت قد وصلت لتحريض ريجان ضد ابيها وضد احتفاظه بالفرسان المائة ولذلك فقد تحطم قلب الملك لير وطار صوابه حين رأى ابنتيه العاقتين تتباريان فى القسوة عليه

وهاج وماج ورفع ذراعيه الهزيلتين مهددا ولاعنا وفجأة أظلمت السماء وهبت الرياح وبرق البرق ودوى صوت الرعد فى الافاق وعندئذ كان الملك لير فقد صوابه وأعلن انه يريد الخروج ليواجه أخطار الطبيعة الغاضبة باعتبار ان ذلك أفضل عنده من البقاء تحت سقف واحد مع ابنتيه واندفع خارجا واغلقت الابنتان باب القصر من ورائه



كانت العاصفة تزداد سوءا كلما توغل الملك لير فى الطريق واشتد هطول المطر واشتدت حدة هبوب الرياح وامتدت الأرض الفضاء أمامه كما لو كانت بلا نهاية واخذ الملك يصرخ فى غضب مجنون بأعلى صوته خلال ومضات البرق وأصوات الرعد ويطلب من الرياح ان تشتد اكثر وأكثر لتلقى بالأرض ومن عليها الى داخل البحر أو لتجعل أمواج البحر تعلو وتعلو حتى تغرق الأرض وتطيح بمن عليها من بشر غارقين فى أطماعهم وناكرين للجميل

لم يكن الملك لير وحده فى تلك العاصفة كان معه المهرج الذى اخذ يسخر من الطبيعة ومن الملك نفسه ويطلب منه ان يعود الى ابنتيه ذليلا ليطلب منهما الصفح

وكان النبيل ايرل كنت المتنكر فى هيئة الخادم كايوس قد خرج هو ايضا فى العاصفة ليبحث عن سيده الملك العجوز لينقذه من تلك العاصفة المدمرة وعندما عثر عليه كان الملك فى ذروة صراخه و جنونه وعبثا حاول كايوس ان يقنع الملك بالدخول الى كوخ فقير ليحتمي فيه من غضب الطبيعة الى ان قبل الملك فى النهاية

وبداخل الكوخ شاهد الملك شحاذا فقيرا كان قد لجأ الى الكوخ ليحتمي فيه وكان الشحاذ يلبس هلاهيل ممزقة لا تكاد تستر جسمه فقال الملك لابد ان هذا الرجل قد وهب كل شيء الى بناته
لان اى رجل لا يمكن ان يصل الى هذا المصير البائس الا اذا كان والدا لبنات جاحدات

بعد ان هدأت العاصفة اصطحب النبيل المخلص ايرل كنت الملك لير الى قلعة دوفر وطلب من بعض الفرسان الذين مازالوا مخلصين للملك ويحتفظون بولائهم له ان يقوموا برعاية الملك بدلا منه لأنه سيقوم برحلة قصيرة



وأبحر ايرل كنت الى فرنسا حيث قابل الملكة كورديليا الابنة الصغرى للملك لير و التى تزوجها ملك فرنسا واخبرها بالمصير المؤلم والمؤسف الذى انتهى اليه والدها بسبب الجحود و المعاملة وعدم الاحترام و الإذلال الذى لاقاه الملك من اختيها

وطلبت الملكة كورديليا من زوجها ملك فرنسا ان يزودها بجيش كبير تذهب به الى بريطانيا لإسقاط حكم هاتين الاختين الجاحدتين فوافق الملك على إعداد وتجهيز الجيش المطلوب وأبحر الجيش ونزل الى شواطىء دوفر

فى ذلك الوقت كان الملك لير قد تمكن من الهرب من رقابة فرسان قلعة دوفر وانطلق يغدو فى الحقول المجاورة وهو فى حالة جنون مؤسفة كان يغنى بأعلى صوته اغانى لا معنى لها ويضع على رأسه تاجا من القش

وانطلق بعض جنود جيش كورديليا ليبحثوا عن الملك الى ان عثروا عليه وهو فى تلك الحالة المؤسية البائسة وكانت كورديليا مشتاقة الى رؤية والدها ولكن الأطباء منعوها من ذلك بسبب سوء حالته فوعدتهم بان تعطيهم كل ما تملكه من ذهب و مجوهرات اذا عالجوا اباها وأعادوه الى حالته الطبيعية

وبعد ان هدأت حالة الملك قليلا ذهبت كورديليا لمقابلته وتم لقاء حافل بالمشاعر بين الملك وابنته الوفية التى أخبرته بأنها جاءت لتعيد اليه حقوقه ..

فى تلك الأثناء كان الخلاف قد دب بين الاختين الجاحدتين جونريل وريجان ولان هاتين الاختين كانتا غير مخلصتين لابيهما فقد كانتا ايضا غير مخلصتين لزوجيهما ومن الغريب أنهما وقعتا فى حب دنيء لرجل واحد هو ادموند الابن الغير شرعي لايرل جلوسستر وكان هذا الابن قد استطاع ان يغتصب حكم جلوسستر من أخيه ادجار الوريث الشرعي لحكم المقاطعة وتلاحقت الأحداث بسرعة

مات دوق كورنول زوج الابنة ريجان التى أعلنت على الفور عزمها على الزواج من ادموند الذى كان على علاقة سابقة معها ومع اختها جونريل فى نفس الوقت ولذلك فقد حقدت جونريل على اختها وأعمتها الغيرة فدست لها السم وقتلتها

وعندما علم دوق البانى زوج جونريل بالجريمة التى ارتكبتها زوجته الشريرة امر بالقبض عليها وإعدامها وهكذا انتهت شرور هاتين الاختين الجاحدتين

أما الابنة الوفية كورديليا فقد انهزم جيشها فى حربه مع جيش ادموند الذى اسر كورديليا وأعدمها

ومات الملك لير حزنا على ابنته الوفية ومات بعده ايرل كنت الذى كان متنكرا فى هيئة الخادم كايوس حزنا على وفاة سيده وقتل ادموند فى مبارزة قامت بينه وبين ادجار الوريث الشرعي الذى استعاد حكم المقاطعة من الأخ المغتصب لها

وأصبح دوق البانى زوج جونريل ملكا على انجلترا

وهكذا انتهت حكاية الملك لير وبناته الثلاث