As the play opens we learn that King Lear is getting on in years and has decided to divide his kingdom among his three daughters. Lear is already demonstrating his eccentric nature. Although he has previously determined that the realm will be equally divided, he insists that each of his three daughters try to outdo the others in her proclamation of love for him. When Cordelia fails to satisfy his desire for praise and need for love, he immediately reacts in a purely emotional way, disinheriting her and refusing to listen to the reasonable arguments of Kent, whom Lear also banishes...
Source: Shakespeare for Students, ©2013 Gale Cengage. All Rights Reserved. Full copyright.
(The entire page is 1513 words.)
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