Here's a closer analysis of Lear's character and actions that contribute to his downfall:
Excessive Pride: Lear's pride and desire to be respected and idolized by his children are apparent from the beginning of the play. He demands absolute loyalty and love from his daughters and makes his love conditional upon their flattery.
Unjust Judgement: Lear's flawed judgement leads him to divide his kingdom based solely on his daughters' declarations of love, ignoring Cordelia's genuine affection and banishing her for her honesty. This decision sets the stage for the subsequent conflicts.
Disregarding Loyalty: Lear's disregard for the loyal Kent, who warns him about the falseness of Goneril and Regan, showcases his tendency to prioritize flattery over integrity.
Lack of Self-Awareness: Lear lacks the ability to recognize his own faults and the consequences of his actions. He stubbornly refuses to acknowledge the truth about his daughters and their intentions.
Impulsiveness: Lear acts impulsively and without considering the long-term consequences. He banishes Cordelia, disregards Kent's counsel, and later curses Goneril and Regan without fully understanding their motives.
As a result of these flaws and actions, Lear suffers immense mental anguish, loses his throne, and ultimately descends into madness. His suffering evokes pity and terror, which are key elements of Aristotle's definition of a tragic hero.
Lear's downfall is not solely caused by external forces or fate, but rather by his internal character flaws and his own choices. In this sense, he exemplifies the tragic hero archetype, where a great and respectable individual's downfall results from their own tragic flaw.