own from plants chosen by himself, and crowned himself with them (Butler 399). Being pleased with himself, Lear shouts, Ay, every inch a king (Shakespeare IV. vi. 107). In addition to support from friends, Lears youngest daughter, Cordelia, fights to put her father back on the throne. As mentioned above, a kings true power comes from having people fight for it. However, Cordelias goals are not met, but this does mean that Lear loses the monarchy. In the end, Lears power is sustained by Albany, who declares that he resign[s] / During the life of this old majesty / To him [Lear] our absolute power (Shakespeare V. iii. 297-299). Albanys support is the last factor proving Lears legitimacy as king.Indeed, Lears monarchy has been thoroughly legitimized, because Shakespeares play represents a king who has given up his power, but really does not lose it. Through the theory of absolute monarchy, Lears behavior and nature is seen to be that of an absolute king in various scenes. For example, symbolically, Lear is dressed the part of king by retaining his crown, the ultimate image of kingly rule. However, for a short time Lear is without his crown, but his behavior is still that of an absolute monarch which proves his power. Furthermore, he continues to make commands and keeps a sort of mini-court around himself at all times, just as a true king will do. In addition, Lear receives the acknowledgment of his subjects as their king, which is required in absolutism in order for the king to have true power. At the end of King Lear, Lear is once again declared king. After everything that has happened, everyone realizes that Lear has always retained the power of a monarch. If Shakespeare had not made King Lear an absolute monarch, the king would not have been able to be serve the role of king as he did in the very beginning of the play. Only an absolute monarch could achieve such a thing after supposedly giving up his power in the first...
