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 outside sources to tell him who he is. It is Lear's inability to separate himself from the crown that has led to his undeveloped personal identity. To his question, the fool provides the answer: “Lear's shadow” (I.iv. 234). Lear's identity as king is all he has ever known. Untitled is nothing more than an empty shell without internal substance. Lear forgot to form an identity not only for Lear the king, but for Lear the man. Lear is only able to find his personal identity when he meets Cordelia and says, "I am a foolish and fond old man" (IV.vii.69). Lear has given himself an identity that goes beyond that of a king and is not a description of vanity, but of truth and experience. Lear acquired an identity for