# Doctor — King Lear character guide

> Doctor in King Lear by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Doctor Madam

**First appearance:** 0027-act-iv-scene-vii

## Who they are

Physician who attends to the mad King Lear and advises Cordelia.

## Relationships

### [Cordelia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/cordelia)

_professional_

Cordelia employs a doctor to tend to the mad King Lear, showing her care and desire to heal him.

### [Cordelia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/cordelia)

_professional_

Cordelia employs a doctor to tend to the mad King Lear, showing her care and desire to heal him.

## In the story

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Advises Cordelia that repose and medicinal simples can help restore Lear's reason.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vii)

Oversees Lear's recovery, advises caution in waking him, and notes that the great rage has subsided.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/doctor
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters