King Lear :: essays research papers

King Lear topic 2, revision.Matt Diggs III"Lear Be your tears wet? Yes faith, I solicit weep non.     If you have poison for me, I will drink it.     I know you do not love me for your sisters      Have (as I do remember) involve me wrong.     You have some cause, they have not.Cordelia No cause, no cause."     In Shakespeares King Lear the character Cordelia is disowned and denied dowry because she is unable to bring herself to flatter her father. This silver dollar is taken as insult by Lear in the spring act of the play, and he renounces the princess in a fit of rage. Yet when his other, more "glib and oily (I.i. 224)" daughters have destroyed him, it is faithful Cordelia who comforts him. While she has the great reason to act against Lear, she claims she has "No cause,(IV,iv,74)" to do so. What is it within Cordelias soul that manifests good in the face of evil? What qualities make her the plays most virtuous character? Because she is not actually present during the majority of the play, it is difficult to obtain an accurate psychological picture of Cordelia. BUT HER WORDS AND ACTIONS, moreover SPARSE, DEFINE CORDELIA AS HONEST, SELFLESS AND COURAGEOUS. It is these qualities that showing Cordelias clear comprehension of the duties implicit in the father-daughter and king-subject bond.     Part of Cordelias moral integrity lies in her bluntness, and while Lears daughter does look tactless in her first appearance, saying,      " worried that I am, I cannot heave     My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty     According to my bond, no more nor less, (I.i.91-93)" it is this honesty that contrast her to her sisters. In Lear, the long diatribes of acclaim often belong to the most vile of characters, but not so with Cordelia. Her love is b oundless, but not speakable through flattery. Though she makes little run to elucidate her simple words, her bond is substantial, having been "Begot, bred and loved,(I,i,96)" by her father. Cordelia speaks in her explanation of performing her duties as she sees "right fit.(I,i,97)" Acting with such perfect purpose defines the princess as perhaps the only absolutely righteous character in the play. But apart from merely confronting the possibility of losing her fortunes, she accepts her kings decision with silence. She knows the consequences of her actions, nevertheless does not stray from her ethical duties.      Cordelias respect for Lear does not blur her comprehension of his folly.King Lear essays research papers King Lear topic 2, revision.Matt Diggs III"Lear Be your tears wet? Yes faith, I pray weep not.     If you have poison for me, I will drink it.     I know you do not love me for your sisters      Have (as I do remember) done me wrong.     You have some cause, they have not.Cordelia No cause, no cause."     In Shakespeares King Lear the character Cordelia is disowned and denied dowry because she is unable to bring herself to flatter her father. This honesty is taken as insult by Lear in the opening act of the play, and he renounces the princess in a fit of rage. Yet when his other, more "glib and oily (I.i. 224)" daughters have ruined him, it is faithful Cordelia who comforts him. While she has the greatest reason to act against Lear, she claims she has "No cause,(IV,iv,74)" to do so. What is it within Cordelias soul that manifests good in the face of evil? What qualities make her the plays most virtuous character? Because she is not actually present during the majority of the play, it is difficult to obtain an accurate psychological picture of Cordelia. BUT HER WORDS AND ACTIONS, HOW EVER SPARSE, DEFINE CORDELIA AS HONEST, SELFLESS AND COURAGEOUS. It is these qualities that display Cordelias clear comprehension of the duties implicit in the father-daughter and king-subject bond.     Part of Cordelias moral integrity lies in her bluntness, and while Lears daughter does seem tactless in her first appearance, saying,      "Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave     My heart into my mouth. I love your Majesty     According to my bond, no more nor less, (I.i.91-93)" it is this honesty that contrast her to her sisters. In Lear, the long diatribes of compliment often belong to the most vile of characters, but not so with Cordelia. Her love is boundless, but not expressible through flattery. Though she makes little effort to elucidate her simple words, her bond is substantial, having been "Begot, bred and loved,(I,i,96)" by her father. Cordelia speaks in her explanation of perform ing her duties as she sees "right fit.(I,i,97)" Acting with such perfect purpose defines the princess as possibly the only absolutely righteous character in the play. But apart from merely confronting the possibility of losing her fortunes, she accepts her kings decision with silence. She knows the consequences of her actions, yet does not stray from her ethical duties.      Cordelias reverence for Lear does not blur her comprehension of his folly.