Question

Write about Cordelia’s character in king Lear using this guide Role ✓ In which scenes does the character appear Role

✓ In which scenes does the character appear? (It is a good idea to make a list of these and note what happens in each, as it can give you a clear indication of the challenges the character has to face and how he or she copes with them.)
✓ Does the character change as the play progresses?
✓ Do the character's actions - or inaction - affect the plot outcome?
✓ Does the character have a dramatic function within the play?
✓ Is the character a hero, heroine or villain?
✓ Does the character act as a foil to another character?
How is the character influenced by the world of the text? using quotes to back up your answer

Answer 1

Cordelia is a symbol of honesty and serves as the moral center of 'King Lear.' Despite her limited presence, she significantly impacts the plot and is a foil to her deceitful sisters. Her actions and unwavering integrity highlight the themes of justice and loyalty in the play.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cordelia is a pivotal character in William Shakespeare's play King Lear. Her role is that of Lear's youngest daughter who, despite being disowned and disinherited for her refusal to flatter her father with insincere praise, remains loyal to him. Cordelia's character is a symbol of virtue and honesty and is seen as a heroine within the play.

Cordelia appears in the following scenes: Act 1, Scene 1; Act 4, Scene 4; Act 4, Scene 7; Act 5, Scene 3. Initially, she is a strong yet silent presence. However, when Lear tests his daughters, Cordelia refuses to exaggerate her love for him, saying, "I cannot heave my heart into my mouth." This expression of blunt truth leads to her banishment. As the play progresses, Cordelia does not undergo a significant transformation, but her unwavering integrity stands as a constant amidst the chaos of the other characters' deceit and manipulation.

Cordelia's actions have a profound effect on the plot; her banishment is a catalyst for Lear's descent into madness and the ensuing tragedy. Her role serves to heighten the contrast between genuine love and the corrupt flattery of her sisters, Goneril and Regan. Moreover, Cordelia acts as a foil to her sisters, highlighting their villainous traits through her own unwavering moral compass.

Cordelia's unwavering commitment to truth and her eventual return with an army to rescue her father, only to be captured and tragically executed, underline her role as a heroine acting in a corrupt and power-driven world. Her death elicits one of the most heart-wrenching reactions from Lear, which ultimately contributes to the tragic conclusion of the play. Cordelia's character thus plays a crucial dramatic function within King Lear, illustrating themes of justice, loyalty, and the pitfalls of pride and power.