# King Lear — Character guide

> Key figures in King Lear by William Shakespeare.

- [King Lear](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/king_lear.md): The aging king of Britain whose decision to divide his kingdom triggers tragedy.
- [Edmund](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/edmund.md): Gloucester's ambitious bastard son who schemes to usurp his legitimate brother.
- [Edgar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/edgar.md): Gloucester's legitimate son who disguises himself as Poor Tom to survive.
- [Goneril](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/goneril.md): Lear's eldest daughter who flatters him then betrays him for power.
- [Regan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/regan.md): Lear's middle daughter who joins Goneril in cruelty and rivalry.
- [Cordelia](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/cordelia.md): Lear's youngest daughter who refuses to flatter him and is disowned.
- [Kent](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/kent.md): Loyal nobleman who disguises himself as Caius to serve Lear after banishment.
- [Gloucester](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/gloucester.md): Earl whose blindness to Edmund's treachery leads to his own tragic downfall.
- [Albany](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/albany.md): Goneril's husband who eventually opposes her cruelty and Edmund's plot.
- [Fool](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/fool.md): Lear's court jester who offers bitter truths through riddles and songs.
- [Oswald](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/oswald.md): Goneril's steward who carries out her orders and antagonizes Kent.
- [Cornwall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/cornwall.md): Regan's husband who brutally blinds Gloucester and meets a violent end.
- [Curan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/curan.md): A courtier who informs Edmund of impending conflict between Albany and Cornwall.
- [Doctor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/doctor.md): Physician who attends to the mad King Lear and advises Cordelia.
- [Captain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/captain.md): Officer under Edmund who is ordered to execute Cordelia and Lear.
- [Herald](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/herald.md): Official who proclaims the tournament challenge for Edmund's trial.
- [Messenger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/messenger.md): Bearer of news about Cornwall's death and other battlefield events.
- [Servants](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters/servants.md): Attendants who witness and react to the blinding of Gloucester.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_lear_se/characters