Lear is the aging king of an ancient, pre-Christian England who decides to retire and divide his kingdom. He demands absolute obedience and public displays of affection from his family. His insistence on obsequious praise sets off a disastrous chain of events that fractures his realm and strips him of the authority he so heavily relies upon.

Cordelia is Lear's youngest and historically favorite daughter. She refuses to make dishonest, fawning displays of affection to secure a piece of the kingdom. Her steadfast commitment to truth results in her losing her dowry and facing abrupt exile from the only home she has ever known.

Goneril is Lear's eldest daughter and the wife of the Duke of Albany. She readily plays along with her father's demand for praise to secure her inheritance. Once she gains her new lands and authority, she quickly loses patience with her father's disruptive entourage and actively seeks to suppress his remaining power.

Regan is the middle child of the Lear family and the wife of the Duke of Cornwall. She proves highly skilled at manipulation, using her father's vulnerable ego to secure her share of the kingdom. She closely aligns herself with Goneril to manage their father's behavior and consolidate their joint power.

Edgar is the legitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester. He is an earnest and trusting young nobleman who is completely unaware of the political and familial plots brewing around him. His gullibility makes him an easy target for his half-brother's malicious schemes.

Edmund is the illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester. Embittered by the social stigma and legal disadvantages of his birth, he rejects the traditional social order entirely. He is an articulate schemer who actively plots to disinherit his legitimate brother and claim his father's title for himself.

Gloucester is a nobleman and old friend to King Lear. He is a superstitious man who easily believes in astrological omens and false rumors. His quick temper and gullibility cause him to misjudge his children, closely paralleling King Lear's own family errors.

Kent is a dedicated nobleman and one of Lear's most loyal advisors. When Lear makes the terrible decision to banish Cordelia, Kent risks his own standing to object, resulting in his immediate exile. He is a pragmatist who values honest service over political safety.

The Fool is Lear's much-beloved, licensed jester. Heartbroken over Cordelia's banishment, he uses cryptic songs, riddles, and mockery to force the king to confront his foolish decisions. He possesses the unique privilege of speaking harsh truths to the king without facing immediate punishment.

Albany is Goneril's husband and a prominent duke in Lear's court. He receives half of the divided kingdom. He initially stands by as his wife asserts her power, occasionally warning her that her harsh tactics against her father might be a mistake.

Cornwall is Regan's husband and a powerful duke who gains half of Lear's realm. He is perfectly matched with his wife in his ambition and willingness to assert authority. He refuses to indulge Lear's demands and actively supports measures to strip the old king of his remaining influence.

The King of France is a foreign monarch visiting Lear's court. When Lear strips Cordelia of her dowry and titles, France recognizes her intrinsic worth and marries her anyway, taking her away to his own kingdom.

The Duke of Burgundy is a royal suitor competing for Cordelia's hand in marriage. When King Lear disowns Cordelia and revokes her dowry, Burgundy promptly withdraws his marriage proposal, demonstrating his financially motivated interests.

Oswald is Goneril's steward and chief servant. He eagerly follows her orders to disrespect King Lear and his entourage, acting as a willing extension of his mistress's authority. His insolent behavior makes him an immediate target for Lear's loyalists.