King Lear Analysis

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King Lear Lear was a British King who reigned before the birth of Jesus Christ, therefore, the play was placed in Pagan setting. Lear thinks that his children are important enough to give up the kingdom for. Lear’s insecurity and fear is clearly shown when he asks to be unconditionally loved by his children, and the one showing the most of what he asks, can inherit his land. It sounds like he needs to be reassured that his importance and higharchy still remains…even apart from being the ruler of the kingdom. Lear’s is getting near retirement age, and because of that; he thinks it’s time to retire and give the kingdom over to his children so he can spend the rest of his old age with them. “that e have divided in three our kingdom”(I i 160). He chooses to stage a "love test" between his three daughters, so he can give the biggest portion of the kingdom to the one who ‘loves him most’ “Which of you shall we say doth love us most”(I i 161). He wants to enjoy the power of still being King without any of the responsibility. When his most loved daughter comments on her sister’s reactions about his wishes, he then begins to go insane after irrationally separating his land between two of his three daughters based on their charm bringing terrible consequences for everyone. I would say that’s Lear’s first mistake; separating power and responsibility. His two eldest daughters are prepared to be in control of their own lives (age wise) but not necessarily mature enough. A reason of immaturity from the daughters that Lear didn’t notice was how fond they were of him when he declared his wanting, therefore, they aren’t ready to rule a kingdom. They allowed their father to act as if he is still in charge. Lear was shocked, shortly after, when his daughters assert their independence from him. Lear’s nobleman/advisor, Kent, tried to per sway Lear into giving the land back to his
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