Before retiring from his throne and dividing his lands, the British king requests that each of his three daughters declares the extent of her love for him. Although the two greedy elder sisters are happy to comply, Cordelia - the one who truly loves him - refuses. Lear then banishes his favorite daughter and his best friend who speaks in her defense. Consumed with doubt and grief when he discovers his own folly, Lear spirals into a madness that not even his few remaining friends can forestall.