apollo

greek god of truth and prophecy, healing and diseases, sun and light

‘lear ; now, by apollo -

kent ; now, by apollo, king.

thou swear’st thy gods in vain’

act 1, scene 1

lear swears by apollo, and kent tells him he’s taking the gods name in vain

‘gods’ mean multiple, therefore king lear is set in a pagan society

happens after lear exiles cordelia and kent stands up for her

lear is swearing by apollo to exile kent