By the time Lear finally regains his reason and realizes who Cordelia is, they have little time to talk and reconcile. Nevertheless, she forgives him for banishing her. But when she arrives, Lear is not able to recognize her because of his state of madness.

Cordelia returns at the end of the play with the intentions of helping Lear, ultimately reversing her role as daughter to that of mother. After Lear is rejected by Cordelia's sisters, Goneril and Regan, he goes mad. King Lear mourns Cordelia's death, James Barry, 1786–1788Ĭordelia was always Lear’s favourite daughter. She leaves with him and does not return until Act 4, scene 4. The Duke of Burgundy withdraws his suit upon learning that she's been disinherited, but the King of France is impressed by her honesty and agrees to marry her. Her two suitors, the Duke of Burgundy and King of France, are then summoned. The Earl of Kent objects to her treatment, and is subsequently banished as well. Feeling outraged and humiliated that Cordelia will not publicly lavish love on him, Lear banishes Cordelia from the kingdom and disinherits her. Unlike her father and sisters, Cordelia is able to differentiate love from property. I love your majesty / According to my bond no more nor less.' (1.1 90-2). She continues, 'Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave / My heart into my mouth. Cordelia replies, 'Nothing, my lord.' (1.1.86). Lear asks her, 'What can you say to draw / A third more opulent than your sisters? Speak.' (1.1.84-5). Lear deems her answer ('Love, and be silent' 1.1.62) as too simple. Cordelia, seeing right through her sisters' feigned professions of love, refuses to do the same. Cordelia's sisters, Goneril and Regan, give deceitfully lavish speeches professing their love, flattering his vanity. Her father Lear exiles her as a response to her honesty when he asks for professions of love from his three daughters to determine how to divide the lands of his kingdom between them. In Shakespeare's King Lear, Cordelia is briefly on stage during Act 1, scene 1. Ford Madox Brown, Cordelia's Portion Introduction

Lear william shakespeare