His decision backfires when Goneril and Regan turn against him after receiving their shares, while Cordelia, who truly loves him, is banished. Lear descends into madness as he grapples with the betrayal of his daughters and the loss of his kingdom.
The character of King Lear is a complex and tragic figure who embodies the theme of the play: human frailty and the consequences of pride and rash decisions.