King Lear’s Sins Pale in Comparison to those Committed...

King Lear’s Sins Pale in Comparison to those Committed Against Him King Lear commits several acts that are nearly unforgivable. Not only does he exile a trusted, loyal servant, he also banishes his own daughter. Cordelia, unable and unwilling to submit herself to the ridiculous game of her father, is sent off to France with his curses. His subsequent action - the division of the land between his two ungrateful daughters - is the final act, the final sin, and one that plunges the land into turmoil. However, his actions do not excuse the responses they bring from his kin and kinsmen. The sins against him - the actions of his two daughters and the evilness of Edmund - are far greater than those he committed†¦show more content†¦Fury envelops him: Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood, And as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee from this for ever. (I.i.113-115) he exclaims, disowning his loving daughter. Unable to balance between his need for respect and his great love for his daughter, he succumbs to the madness that has threatened to overwhelm him. Unfortunately, Kent then steps in, far too early after Lears proclamation. Still riding his wave of anger, King Lear can hardly accept this second violation of his power. Fuelled by the madness, he recklessly banishes the noble from his court. These actions were terrible, and a sin against both; however, in both cases, he had a reason, one that perhaps does not excuse his act, but nevertheless explains it. His final sin, the division of the land between Goneril and Regan is, upon further examination, hardly a sin at all. It is probable that King Lear had planned ahead to this day for years, and the decision to spread his land between his daughters is not, as some would suggest, folly at all (Kermode 1251). In fact, it may well have been brilliance. Lear intended to give Cordelia one third of his kingdom, the central, more opulent third of his kingdom, and effectively use her to separate the two other daughter. This would allow