King Lear
...arly shows tat the King needs to have his ego polished and is clearly showing his egotism with no signs of modesty. This type of egotism is reflected in other parts of his life by the way he speaks to others around him. One of the characters who tests the King’s ego is the Duke of Kent. Although the Duke swears loyalty to Lear, he feels threatened when the Duke criticizes him. This type of egotism is also reflected in the way he treats his daughters. When Cordelier does not bow to the Kings method of deciding which daughter should get the larger parts of the Kingdom then she is then disowned as the Kings daughter. The King also appears to be very irresponsible. His actions have shown that depending on his current attitude towards a person or situation reflects on his judgment. This shows he is an irrational King as a King is supposed to make decisions based on issues and not personal feelings. He also feels that whatever he says and does is morally correct. He refuses to be open-minded towards others’ views and opinions. Lear also appears to try and benefit as much as he can from being King but is reluctant to accept the responsibility. He appears to rule on behalf of his own satisfaction and not the benefit of the people. As a result of Lear’s reluctantly to accept responsibility for being King, he decides to divide the Kingdom between his three daughters. This shows that he is a bad King because the division is based around his personal connection between him and his daughters. As a King it would be ideal to keep the Kingdom united. The King also proves to make rash decisions. When an advisor or member of his council disagrees, he’ll make rash, personal decisions against that individual. An example against the individual. And example of this is when the Duke of Kent argues with the King and is expelled from the Kingdom by order of the King. Another example is Cordelier’s expulsion from the King’s family, when she refuses to take part in praising the King as her other sisters have done. The King has a very short temper and this is clearly displayed by his use of language. Any individual who does not please the King shall suffer the Kings bad temper. ‘Come not between the dragon and his wrath’ King Lear says this line when Kent challenges his decision to banish Cordelier from the Kingdom. This is very much so the King admitting he has a bad temper. The line implies of King Lear having a bad temper by using the metaphor of the dragon. Dragons are believed to be very aggressive creatures when awoken and Shakespeare uses this to descibe the mood of the King. The King has clear favorites almost his daughters. Lear himself admits this. ‘I loved her most, and thought to set my rest’ This line is Lear telling Kent that he once loved Cordelier the most until she refused to take part in telling the King how much she loves him. The King appears to be able to change his favorites whenever...