king lear, the royal ruler of britain, had three daughters whom he loved. they are goneril, regan and cordelia whom he loved the most. when king lear became old he decieded to divide his kingdom between his three daughters. based on how well they professed to love him he would give them a share of the kingdom. goneril and regan his two oldest daughters, when asked how well they loved him employed flattery to gain their shares of the kingdom. they claimed to love him more than words could express etc. king lear was greatly impressed by them both, however, when he came to cordelia, his most loved child, he was primed and ready for a grat out-pouring of words of love. this was not the case however as cordelia said that she loved him just as much as was required of her, no more, no less.
when lear heard this, he was stunned and said that she should rephrase what she said lest he not give her any of the kingdom. she however refused to do as he said. this enraged king lear and he banished her from the kingdom and said she was no longer his child.
i think lear reacted like this because he thought that the daughter he love most and showed much favor to would flater him and say that she loved him more than life itself. when she didn't it is understandable that he was angry with her. however, that dose not justify his harsh words or actions.
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