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→Synopsis: Act V synopsis
===Act IV===
===Act IV===
Edgar finds his father in a wretched state, and still feigning madness, begins to lead him to Dover. At the Duke of Albany's palace, Goneril and Edmund are alone, bad-mouthing her husband. Oswald enters, and Goneril sends the two men to Cornwall's castle to organize an army against France. Albany enters, and reproaches Goneril half-heartedly for her aggression, which leads her to call him "milk-livered." A servant enters and tells them about Gloster's eyes and Cornwall's death. Albany is horrified, and Goneril is disgusted at her husband's weakness. Goneril exits with dark intentions of killing her husband, and Albany finds out that she has been having an affair with Edmund, vowing to avenge Gloster's eyes.
Edgar finds his father in a wretched state, and still feigning madness, begins to lead him to Dover. At the Duke of Albany's palace, Goneril and Edmund are alone, bad-mouthing her husband. Oswald enters, and Goneril sends the Edmund to Cornwall's castle to organize an army against France. Albany enters, and reproaches Goneril half-heartedly for her aggression, which leads her to call him "milk-livered." A servant enters and tells them about Gloster's eyes and Cornwall's death. Albany is horrified, and Goneril is disgusted at her husband's weakness. Goneril exits with dark intentions of killing her husband, and Albany finds out that she has been having an affair with Edmund, vowing to avenge Gloster's eyes.
Back in Gloster's castle, Regan finds out that Goneril is interested in Edmund, and of her plans to murder Albany. She has intentions herself of marrying Edmund now that her husband is dead, and is annoyed at her sister's machinations.
Back in Gloster's castle, Regan finds out that Goneril is interested in Edmund, and of her plans to murder Albany. She has intentions herself of marrying Edmund now that her husband is dead, and is annoyed at her sister's machinations.
At Dover, the French king has withdrawn, leaving his army, one general, and Cordelia behind. Kent has informed Cordelia about Lear's predicament, and she enlists a doctor to help once they reunite. Gloster asks Edgar to lead him to a cliff to let him jump, and Edgar instead brings him to the middle of the field. Gloster jumps and passes out. Edgar wakes him up, pretending to be a commoner, and they soon reunite with King Lear. They commiserate over Regan and Goneril's wickedness, and Oswald finds them, drawing his sword to kill Gloster. Edgar draws his sword and kills Oswald instead. They read a letter which the servant had been carrying, revealing Goneril's plot to kill Albany. Cordelia finds them, and as the battle draws near, she and her father share a tearful reunion.
At Dover, the French king has withdrawn, leaving his army, one general, and Cordelia behind. Kent has informed Cordelia about Lear's predicament, and she enlists a doctor to help once they reunite. Gloster asks Edgar to lead him to a cliff to let him jump, and Edgar instead brings him to the middle of the field. Gloster jumps and passes out. Edgar wakes him up, pretending to be a commoner, and they soon reunite with King Lear. They commiserate over Regan and Goneril's wickedness, and Oswald finds them, drawing his sword to kill Gloster. Edgar draws his sword and kills Oswald instead. They read a letter which the servant had been carrying, revealing Goneril's plot to kill Albany. Cordelia finds them, and as the battle draws near, she and her father share a tearful reunion.
===Act V===
Regan asks Edmund if he loves Goneril, which he denies. Albany and Goneril enter with news about the French invasion, and they join forces to push back. As they leave to begin the war council, Edgar enters and speaks privately with Albany, giving him the letter he found on Oswald.
Before the battle begins, Edgar brings Gloster to safety under a shady tree. He comes back later announcing that the French invasion has been crushed, and Lear and Cordelia taken as prisoners. Edmund sends the two off with a secret note ordering their execution. Albany congratulates Edmund on his victory, but reminds him of his subordinate position. This angers Regan, who stands up for him, which makes Goneril jealous. They proceed to argue over Edmund, to the amusement of Albany, who brings out the letter and puts Edmund under arrest for high treason. Regan gets sick and leaves, and Goneril's reaction shows that she had poisoned her.
As the herald trumpets blow, Edgar enters, still in disguise, to duel with Edmund. After Edmund falls to the ground, Albany tells Goneril what he knows, and she leaves. Edgar reveals his identity, as well as Kent's, and says that Gloster died happy after knowing Edgar had revealed his identity to him. Before he dies, Edmund repents his wrongdoings, and warns them that the Lear and Cordelia will soon be killed. Edgar runs off to save them. A servant comes in, bearing the news of Goneril's suicide and of Regan's death by poisoning. Lear comes in carrying Cordelia, who had already been hanged. Lear recognizes Kent, and dies in despair.
[[Category:Plays of Shakespeare]]
[[Category:Plays of Shakespeare]]