King Lear

The character of King Lear created by William Shakespeare in the play 'King Lear' is one of my most favourite characters in English literature. In the play he grows from being a King to being a man. This growth is the lesson he has been taught by life, but in a harder way. He has to lose everything in the end, including his beloved daughter Cordelia. It is true when he says:

"I am a man
More sinned against than sinning."
(Act III, sc.ii)

At another point Gloucester laments,

"As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods.
They kill us for their sport."
(ActIV, sc.i)

Finally, when he gets back his daughter Cordelia, having seen the emptiness of the high flown words of love of his other two daughters, he wants to live happily even in prison. He realizes his error of judgement:

"Come, let's away to prison:
We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage:
When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down,
And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live,
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies."
(Act V, sc.iii)

P.S. I am interested in discussing more about this character. You can post your comments about King Lear.