King Lear Imperfect Quotes

Imperfect traits can make for a unique leader whose actions can lead to their demise. An example of this would be the king in Shakespeare’s tragedy, “King Lear”. His traits make him an interesting king and father, who tends to want things to go his way. Throughout the first act, King Lear has many events of overreaction and selfishness. In the beginning of the act, Lear forces each of his daughters to pronounce their love for him, but when Cordelia refuses, the king banishes her and Kent who tries to defend her. At the end of the act, Lear is unsatisfied again with how his other daughters are treating him. King Lear in Act 1 is egotistical and stubborn in order to show his control over a situation.

King Lear in Act 1 is egotistical when he repeatedly demonstrates multiple times his need to manipulate people to his favor. In the first part of the act, he forces his daughters to pronounce their love for him in order for them to acquire their inheritance and maintain their dowry. “Which of

you shall we say doth love us most,/ that our largest bounty may extend/ Where nature doth with merit challenge” (I.i.56-58). Lear is pitting his daughters against each other for his own selfish, egotistical gain. He reaps self assurance from the praise of others, but when others speak or act against him, he will demean people with his actions and words. King Lear keeps favorites such as his daughter, Cordelia; although when she does not share the same opinion of him, he rejects and banishes her. He is unable to see the reality of the situation or accept anything less than his opinion of himself.
King Lear is proven self-absorbed by his actions against others. He is like a school bully in the way he trips, smacks, and insults others. Lear self glorifies himself when he regulates a situation to his favor. “Thou but remembrest me of mine own conception. I have perceived a most faint neglect of late,/ which I have rather blamed as mine own jealous unkindness” (I.iv.69-70). Even when Lear mentions this, he goes on later to physically hurt others for his own humor. Lear often victimizes himself making it seem as though others have wronged him severely more so than they actually did gaining other’s empathy and pity which allows him the control he desires. He does not feel regret towards his past actions, he thinks he is right, and does not feel the need to change his actions either. King Lear is stuck in an egotistical path which he will probably never get off of.
King Lear in Act 1 is seen as being stubborn whenever he sets his mind to something.

It is proven multiple times throughout the act, King Lear has a hard time compromising. This is particularly due to his inability to see things from another point of view. While Kent is trying to calm Lear down after banishing Cordelia, Lear responds with, “The bow is bent and drawn. Make from the shaft” (I.i.160). Lear won’t even let Kent talk to him or try and change his mind. The King’s pride is too hurt after being embarrassed in front of Cordelia to think rationally and listen to his advisor, Kent. In the end, when Lear makes up his mind, it is almost impossible to compromise it. It also is not helpful when Lear makes quick decisions like the banishment of Cordelia and Kent. Also, if he does not get his way, he would most likely throw a fit of violence and name calling until the situation changes in his favor. However, this does not make every action or word from King Lear

illogical.
However, King Lear being stubborn is not such a lousy thing when it comes to overseeing situations. Lear makes good on his words such as his promises of land and the withdrawal of land. Also, when he puts his mind to something, he necessarily does not give up. King Lear says, “Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again” (I.i.99). He gives Cordelia a chance to at least to change her mind to benefit her future. On a similar note, he often tries to persuade people to his point of view, and he does not understand if they do not agree. King Lear’s unyieldingness makes it hard for him to give up such as when he repeatedly kept asking two days for the fool. Normally, when a person grows older, they may develop a loss of self esteem and logic. This explains his refusal to give up on little dilemmas until they choose his way of thinking.While determinedness may be frustrating, everyone has a negative traits.
In Act 2, it is clearly seen that King Lear’s rigid mindset and narcissism attributes to his demise of being deserted by his daughters and spouses. By the way his daughters were raised, they picked some of his narcissism compelling them to try and take away all of his knights. He keeps his nights for narcissistic reasons, but is too egotistical to let them go. In the end, King Lear being an egotistical, stubborn king has not worked out in his favor overall.
Overall, it is necessary for King Lear to be narcissistic and have a rigid mindset to be an able to lead people in the way he wants them to go. Throughout Act 1, he has proven it multiple times his unwillingness to give up even when it is unpopular belief. Even though he thrives on praise, Lear does not let other’s opinions sway him immensely. However, King Lear being an egotistical, stubborn king has not worked out in his favor overall.