In most tragic pieces of literature, it is very common to see the demise or destruction of a characters' mind and poise as a stable person. Besides looking at the actual demise though, it is also important to look at the effects of unrewarding events and the relationship of certain characters. In both Shakespeare's King Lear, and Smiley's A Thousand Acres, both issues prove to be the causes of demise and destruction, despite the fact that "appearances" indicate all is well.
             In King Lear, we read a classic Shakespeare tragedy. He presents a story of an old king, who in his later years, but not near death, decides to divide his land amongst his three daughters'. Lear decides to split the land between his two oldest daughters', Goneril and Regan, and his youngest daughter Cordelia, who as his favorite daughter, was to receive the largest piece of land. Lear asked his daughters to express their love to him, or better yet, to express how much they loved him. Goneril and Regan were very quick to lay on extreme flattery, and untrue love. They expressed how their love for him was unmatched, and how they could love nothing or no one as they love him. In return they received their respective share of land and power. Cordelia, always honest and virtuous, simply answers, "Nothing my lord."
             Cordelia did not give an answer that the self-indulged, egotistical, king was looking for. She was not being snide, or bitter, but truthful. She tried to explain that her love, while real, was simply that of how a love for a father from a daughter should be, no more no less. Unmarried, she explained that one-day she must also carry a love for her husband, not just her father, as her sister's answered. Despite the honest and innocent appearance of her remarks, Cordelia is banished from the palace, left family and friendless. Unknowing of his mistake, Lear would soon find o...