King Lear Act III - #1

Rejection is one of most painful experiences regarding those you love and care about. Even though Gloucester loves Edgar, he feels that Edgar has betrayed him and it tears him apart. Another example of this is Lear with his daughters and it causes him to lose it. It’s painful because the love between the two people isn’t mutual and the person being rejected doesn’t always understand why they're being treated poorly. People’s response to this often starts with anger, which is really just covering how much they are hurting. By covering the way it really makes them feel, it makes them appear to be less vulnerable. Kent is loyal and even goes back in disguise to serve Lear. Another possible reaction, such as Kent, is still trying to connect with the person or display their devotion or love to them hoping to get the person back. Lear, Edgar, Cordelia, and Kent are all experiencing pain as a result of being betrayed by people they love or are devoted to. Lear’s betrayal by his daughters leads to his insanity. Lear and Gloucester’s rejection of their children leave Cordelia and Edgar feeling hurt. When Kent is banished, his response is to go back to serve Lear even though Lear wants nothing to do with him, which shows his true devotion. Human emotional responses in general to rejection and betrayal vary, but emotional turmoil is common in those being hurt by those they love and care about.