Lear banishes Kent and Cordelia because he feels they have betrayed him. When both of them were trying to protect Lear. Cordelia gives Lear the opportunity to repair their relationship, when Cordelia brings the French army to her aid and asks her father for forgiveness. Only then does Lear accept and ask Cordelia for forgiveness. However, these excuses do not prevent Lear from completing his tragedy. Instead, he leads Cordelia to her demise. Along with Cordelia, Lear fails to right the wrongs he commits against Kent, due to Lear's fear of betrayal. Kent, like Cordelia, continues to care for Lear. Instead of leaving the country, Kent decides to disguise himself as a servant and serve Lear. When Kent finally reveals himself to Lear, he never receives an apology. Lear simply states "You are welcome here" (5. 3. 350) and although this allows Kent to return to the country, it is not an excuse. Kent's exposure leaves Shakespeare's audience wondering what would have happened if Lear had taken it upon himself to make amends with the people who truly care about him. If, on the other hand, Lear had turned his attention away from betrayal and focused on love, then the play might not have qualified as