King Lear was one of Shakespeare's popular works and one of his most powerful works. Many people think these are the best tragedies Shakespeare ever committed. In this article I will give a brief summary of the story as it unfolds; and an analysis of the main characters will also be presented. King Lear of Great Britain has decided to step down from his throne, leaving his kingdom to his three daughters. Before the king divides his kingdom, the king tests. The three girls were to express their love for the king; his two eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan, speak kindly to the king for part of the kingdom. Cordelia, Lear's youngest and favorite, remained silent and told the king that no words could express her love for the king. King Lear became furious at not hearing the sweet words he expected and disowned Cordelia. She then leaves the country to marry the king of France. (Mabillard) Lear's most trusted advisor, the Earl of Kent, is also banished for defending Cordelia. Kent, seeing danger in the king's eldest daughters, leads her to disguise herself as a servant. He remains close to King Lear to protect him from Goneril and Regan who decide to usurp their father's kingdom. Meanwhile, the Earl of Gloucester is also dismayed by the events happening in his house. Edmund, his illegitimate son, told Gloucester that Edgar, his legitimate son, was trying to kill him. This being a lie on Edmund's part to gain his brother's birthright. (Mabillard)When Gloucester realizes that Lear's daughter has turned against him, he decides to help her. Regan and her husband Cornwall discover Gloucester helping Lear and accuse him of treason, bling him up and making him wonder around the countryside. He is later found by his disguised son ...... middle of paper ......r father and turns against him. They plotted their father's death with Edmund. He was the son of Gloucester; he was mean and nasty. Not only does he plot the death of the king, but also that of his own father, placing the blame on his brother. Edgar was the opposite of his brother Edmund. He looks like Cordelia; both suffer a lot while thinking about the story. Unlike Cordelia, Edgar remains alive in the end and eventually becomes king of Britain along with Kent and Albany. Kent was King Lear's faithful companion and advisor. He remains incognito to stay with the king. Kent remained loyal to his king after realizing the heartless actions of the king's daughter. These are the conflicts that King Lear faced throughout the story. Most conflicts arise from love, power, loyalty and family. In the end, the king died of grief that he could have prevented from the start..