Joseph Marcell as Lear conspires to divide his kingdom without thinking of another way to pass on his empire. For Marcell, he must divide his kingdom, because he is too old to control and make decisions. Furthermore, after Lear questions his daughters' love, it seems that Goneril and Regan are preparing at this very moment to make a grand profession of love. Just like at the end of the written play, in the performance Joseph Marcell reluctantly holds Cordelia in his arms, while he half screams and half cries. Here he realizes that he was doomed from the start and that it was his old age that brought him to the position he finds himself in. After watching the play, I believe that King Lear's instability and inability to make rational decisions corresponds to his fatal and eventual downfall