The Earl of Kent is a loyal follower of King Lear in Shakespeare's play, but he is also loyal to Lear's one good daughter, Cordelia, and defends her when Lear banishes her for not flattering him (Lear) enough. This results in Kent also being banished, but Kent disguises himself (although the disguise is pretty obvious) so that he may stay and protect the King from his two evil daughters, Goneril and Regan. Kent is one of the few survivors at the end of the play, although his last line is the ambiguous I have a journey, sir, shortly to go; /My master calls me, I must not say no. Some have taken this to mean that Kent is contemplating suicide. Show less «