King Lear shows us that acting for ambition is wrong, particularly if your heart is in the wrong place. The first time we see a character act for their ambition is through Goneril and Regan. After Cordelia leaves with France, Goneril speaks with Regan, saying, “Pray you, let’s hit together; / if our father carry authority with such disposition / as he bears, this last surrender of his will / but offend us” (1.2.304-309). After witnessing Lear’s outburst towards Cordelia and Kent, the two sisters see his authority as harmful to them. They plan to turn Lear mad and take away his remaining power. Another antagonist has ambitions that causes further conflict in the story: Edmund and his grudge against his social standing. Being born an illegitimate
