... of blood/And as a stranger to my heart and me/Hold thee from this forever" (Act I, scene i, lines 109, 114-115). Lear, so astonished at the blunt reply from his beloved daughter, commits nothing short of an irrevocable, contemptible act: disowning the only daughter who truly loves him. Lear's impulsiveness and proclivity to commit irrational actions begin his tragic downfall. Whereas ... ...

• Word Count: 1594
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: Undergraduate