King Lear, the protagonist of the play, is a truly tragic figure. He is driven by greed and arrogance and is known for his stubbornness and imperious temper. Often acts on emotions and whims. Values appearances above reality. He wants to be treated like a king and enjoy the title, but he does not want to fulfill a king's obligations to rule for the good of his subjects. Likewise, his ordeal with his daughters shows that he values a flattering public display of love over real love. He does not ask “which of you loves us more,” but rather “which of you shall we say loves us more?” (Iii49). Most readers conclude that Lear is simply blind to the truth. As a result, he grants his inheritance to Goneril and Regan to flatter him with the words he wants to hear, at the same time he banishes Cordelia, the only daughter who truly loves him. even when his advisor, Kent, warns him that it is a bad idea, Lear throws him out too. So Lear must face the power struggle triggered by his retirement without two of the people who could have smoothed the situation...
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