Lear, the aging king, decides to relinquish his throne and divide his kingdom evenly among his three daughters as determined by their affirmations of love. Enraged and disappointed over daughter Cordelia's declaration, he banishes her and divides his kingdom equally between her two sisters. Jealousy and pride consume the two as they seek to control the kingdom. Treachery and betrayal lead to tragedy as the king slowly loses his grip on reality.