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King Lear is his own worst enemy

            "I am a man more sinned against than sinning." (131) Lear makes this claim that he is the victim solely of his daughters" malevolence. He is denying his own involvement in his tumble from authority. Lear's actions began the chain of events that would lead to his suffering and eventual death. .
             In the passage after Cordelia has refused to proclaim her love for Lear and he is angered to the point where he wants to disown her, Kent warned Lear not to act rashly. This is where Lear began causing his own problems. In the passage Kent tried to stop Lear but he wouldn't listen to this voice of reason. Kent attempts to reason with Lear to pause and reflect upon his actions and their possible consequences. Kent also cautioned Lear that Gonerril and Regan's declarations of love were hollow, foreshadowing the truth. Kent goes as far as to bet his life on the validity of his opinion. Being that he is Lear's faithful servant, Kent wants only to help Lear and lead him from making a horrible mistake. Not heeding to Kent's advice Lear made an impulsive decision to disown his daughter, Cordelia, give his kingdom to Regan and Gonerril, and banish Kent as well. When he is later feeling the repercussions of his decision he places the blame onto his daughters. .
             As Lear reaches shelter from the storm he gives a speech to Kent and the Fool against Gonerril and Regan's "Filial Ingratitude." He claims that they have bitten the hand that fed them and are the cause of all of his tragedy. Lear wants to punish them for the way they have treated him and "show the heavens more just." Lear says that he will "weep no more" and "endure." He blames Regan and Gonerril for his current disposition because of their cruelty to him and makes no reference to his influence on the circumstances leading to it. Lear refuses to see that his initial decision is what laid the ground work for his misfortune.
             In the first passage it is made apparent by Kent that Lear is making a mistake by acting so rashly.


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