King Lear's Downfall Cause

King Lear's downfall was a result of several actions he took throughout the play. Firstly, King Lear's decision to divide his kingdom among his daughters was a major factor in his downfall. He chose to divide his kingdom based on their professions of love for him, rather than on their ability to rule. This led to a power struggle among his daughters and their husbands, as Goneril and Regan, who had professed the most love, fought for control of the kingdom. This ultimately led to war and chaos, and the deaths of many people.

Secondly, King Lear's vanity and pride blinded him to the true nature of his daughters, particularly Goneril and Regan. He refused to see that they were only using flattery to gain control of his kingdom, and he banished his only truly loyal daughter, Cordelia, when she refused to make false professions of love. This ultimately led to his betrayal by Goneril and Regan, who turned on him and took away his power and status.

Thirdly, King Lear's descent into madness and his rejection by his daughters led to his emotional and physical breakdown. He was driven mad by the realization of his own foolishness and the betrayal of his daughters, and his mental state deteriorated to the point where he was wandering aimlessly in a storm, ranting and raving. This ultimately resulted in his death, as he died of exposure to the elements.

Another important factor in King Lear's downfall is his treatment of the Earl of Kent and the Fool. Kent, who is a loyal and honest advisor to Lear, is banished by the king for speaking the truth about his daughters and their behavior. The Fool, who is a close companion to Lear, is also dismissed by the king when he becomes too critical of Lear's actions. Both Kent and the Fool are important figures in Lear's life who provide him with valuable advice and support, and their banishment further isolates Lear and leaves him without any guidance or perspective.

Additionally, Lear's treatment of the common people also contributes to his downfall. He is harsh and dismissive of the poor and the needy, and he does not take their concerns or needs into consideration when making decisions. This further alienates Lear from his kingdom and his people, and contributes to the growing unrest and rebellion against his rule.

Lastly, King Lear's tragic flaw, which is his lack of self-awareness and inability to recognize his own mistakes and weaknesses, ultimately leads to his downfall. He is unable to learn from his mistakes, and he continues to make poor decisions that ultimately lead to his downfall.

All in all, King Lear's downfall is a result of a combination of his poor judgement, vanity, pride, lack of self-awareness, and his treatment of his loyal companions, family, and the common people.