Character analysis
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Please desribe or analyze the character cordelia in King Lear by Shakespeare
I know that she was the kind of daughter that when asked how she felt about her father, she was truthful and her honesty had a major impact on what her father left to her. He left her the bad type of land .
Please add to this and reframe because this is along the linnes I wish to take.
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Cordelia is Lear's youngest daughter, she refuses to profess blinding love for her father, instead offering only that which is true. When pushed by Lear to profess her love, she exclaims that "I cannot heave / My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty / According to my bond; nor more nor less" (Act I, Scene I, Line 93).
Unlike her sisters, Cordelia does not and will not use "that glib and oily art" of her sisters "To speak and purpose not;" (to say what one does not mean), (Act I, Scene I, Lines 228-229).
In return for not lying as her sisters have done, she is banished by Lear and given nothing. Only later does Lear learn the truth that Cordelia's love for him is indeed "More richer than my tongue" (Act I, Scene I, Line 80).
Cordelia, refuses to flatter her father, going only so far as to say that she loves him as much as a daughter should. Lear, unjustly enraged, gives her no land. The Earl of Kent tries to convince Lear to reconsider, but Lear refuses then banishes Kent for acting traitorously by supporting Cordelia. Gloucester then brings the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy in and Lear offers Cordelia to Burgundy, though without a dowry of land, contrary to a previous agreement. Burgundy declines, but the French King, impressed by Cordelia's steadfastness, takes her as Queen of France. Next, Lear passes all powers and governance of Britain down to Albany and Cornwall.
IS THE FOOL AND CORDELIA THE SAME PERSON?
The Fool is not Cordelia in disguise - that wouldn't work. She's in France. However they are never in the play at the same time because the Fool is Lear's voice of reason once Cordelia has gone. In Shakespearian times the actor who played Cordelia would also have played the Fool - probably. The fact that the Fool speaks wisdom when he appears to be speaking nonsense is hugely ironic. He is a wise character, but anyone else who tries to tell Lear he's an idiot does not get away with it (namely Kent :)). Lear likes the Fool to entertain him - he pretends not to notice he's being called a fool himself. Apparently it was a technique Shakespeare used - having fools and jesters speak wisdom. As for the line "My poor fool is hanged", some people are absolutely rigid in their belief that Lear refers to Cordelia and only her. However is it not possible ...
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