is for Arbitration

Lear intends to divide his power and land based on his daughters' professions of love, with the most flattering receiving the largest inheritance, thus allowing for a form of arbitration in the distribution. Goneril and Regan promptly announce their love and gain a portion of the share.

My love is so great that it makes my voice weak and my words fail...

is for Banish

Cordelia, the youngest of the three, refuses to express admiration and is disowned by her father. Lear banishes her from the empire, and leaves her to marry the King of France without a dowry.

is for Cautiousness

Kent urges Lear to be cautious and reconsider his decision of dividing his kingdom and banishing Cordelia. He warns Lear of his two oldest daughters, but Lear's pride leads him to dismiss Kent.

is for Deception

Goneril and Regan quickly reveal their true characters, despite speaking lovingly of their father, embodying  deception as they view Lear as trouble and begin plotting against him.

is for Edmund

Similarly, Edmund, the illegitimate son of Gloucester, plots on both his father and legitimate brother, Edgar, by turning them against each other in order to change his status.

is for Fool

Although the Fool accompanies Lear in his visits, the fool also provides ironic commentary on Lear's foolishness and his saddening situation.

Everyone but the blind can see that the king has fallen on bad luck...

is for Goneril's Scheme

Goneril's quick desire to deceive and dishonor her father exposes her true nature. She demands to reduce the number of knights he travels with, rejecting him as both a father and a king.

is for Hostility

 Both Regan and Goneril strip Lear's authority through their hostility, which forces their father out into the storm with his fool.

is for Insanity

Rejected and humiliated, Lear's insanity leads him to wander through a violent storm, in which he reflects on his mistakes and experiences a breakdown. 

is for Jealousy

Goneril and Regan's jealousy of each other intensifies over their desire for Edmund, fueling their resentment towards one another. 

is for Keen

Regan and the Duke of Cornwall discovers that Lear had escaped to Dover due to Gloucester's assistance. Both were keen to torture him and gouge out his eyes as punishment.

is for Lear and Cordelia's Reunion

In Dover, a deeply regretful Lear is finally reunited with Cordelia, who forgives him for his treatment towards her.

is for Madman

Edgar disguises himself as a madman, named "Poor Tom", to escape Edmund's false accusations. 

'll smear my face with dirt, wear a loincloth, make my hair tangled and knotted...

is for Nurturing

Despite his madness, Tom cares for and aids his blind father, showing a nurturing side. He guides Gloucester to Dover, giving him hope.

is for Overthrow

The French army attempts to defeat Edmund's forces in an effort to overthrow him. However, Cordelia and Lear's capture puts them in grave danger.

is for Paradox

Lear and Cordelia are imprisoned by Edmund. Despite the dreadful situation, Lear clings to the paradox of living free from the concerns of the outside world with Cordelia.