Lear's lack of personal identity becomes painfully clear when he criticizes Goneril and asks, "Does anyone here know me?" (I.iv.231). Lear relies on external sources to tell him who he is. It was Lear's inability to separate himself from the crown that led to his underdeveloped personal identity. In response to his question, the madman provides the answer: “The shadow of Lear” (I.iv. 234). Lear's identity as king is all he has ever known. Without a title, it is just an empty shell with no internal substance. Lear forgot to form an identity not only for Lear the king, but also for Lear the man. Lear is only able to find his personal identity when he meets Cordelia and says, “I am a very foolish old man” (IV.vii.69). Lear gave himself an identity beyond that of a king and this is not a description of vanity, but of truth and experience. Lear acquired an identity for