In King Lear there is numerous evidence that can trace the gradual growth of the main characters mental breakdown. There are a few passages in the play which show us something of Lear before the story begins, and it will help understand the development of Lear's passion into madness to examine these. At the end of the first scene Goneril speaks of her father's treatment of Cordellia of a gross error of judgement and says: "The best and soundest of his time hath been but rash," and then points out that with such dispositions as he bears he will cause them offence unless he deprived of authourity. The opening words o