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Shakespeare’s tragedy, ‘King Lear’, tells the epic story of a man who loses all he has, to gain self-knowledge and an insight into reality, truth and the nature of love. In the first scene of the play we are introduced to a strong-willed and all-powerful King Lear. He proves himself to be a bold monarch but Lear also proves himself to be a vindictive and difficult old man. In the first act, as the demanding king asks of his daughters “Which of you shall we say doth love us most?”, it is clear that Lear is ignorant and self-serving as he, wanting to pass on the responsibility of the kingdom, but keep the privilidges of being king, asks his daughters who loves him the most and therefore will take the best care of him in his old age. His own childish reasoning starts the king’s spiritual journey through suffering and loss. Lear’s inability to judge appearance from reality is first visible in his failure to recognize the insincere flattery of his older daughters and the honesty and love in Cordelia’s plain words. Her refusal to “heave her heart into her mouth” sets her father into an insane rage, as he does not understand the true nature of her love. Goneril and Regan easily convince Lear