Goneril: Lear's eldest daughter, who marries the Duke of Albany and becomes the most power-hungry and ruthless of the three sisters.
Regan: Lear's second daughter, who marries the Duke of Cornwall and becomes almost as ruthless as her sister Goneril.
Cordelia: Lear's youngest and most virtuous daughter, who refuses to flatter her father and is banished from the kingdom.
Edmund: The illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, who schemes and manipulates his way to power.
Edgar: The legitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, who disguises himself as a madman in order to avoid being killed by Edmund.
Fool: A wise and witty character who serves as Lear's advisor and conscience.
Earl of Gloucester: A powerful nobleman who is tricked by Edmund into turning against his legitimate son, Edgar.