At the pre-talk before watching "King Lear" at a Shakespeare in the park performance DD9, wearing an "American Girl" hat and a dress covered in musical notes, asked the actor playing the title role "What makes him a hero?" The dumbfounded looks exchanged between the members of the cast, the artistic director of the company and director of the arts alliance sponsoring the production were priceless.

The actor, a theater professor, said Lear becomes a hero at the end when he accepts responsibility for his actions and apologizes for doing the wrong thing. DD didn't buy it. As far as she's concerned King Lear doesn't qualify as a tragic hero. This morning I've been googling the topic so I can be prepared in case she wants to continue the conversation...