Examples Of Cordelia In King Lear By William Shakespeare
In the play King Lear by William Shakespeare, King Lear divides up his land among his three daughters. During this presentation in front of the assembled court, he expects them to sing his praises and Goneril and Regan do, but Cordelia does not. This unexpected and surprising turn shows that Lear is blinded by his need to feel validated and loved, emphasizing his selfish and needy ways. Lear’s obliviousness can best be seen when he says to his daughters, in front of the court, “Tell me, my daughters … Which of you shall we say doth love us most,” (I.I.48, 51). His seemingly careless tone and demanding attitude shows that he is not expecting Cordelia to oppose him. When Lear says, “Which of you shall we say doth love us
most” exposes his expectations that the responses will be positive and fulfill his demands. His desire for attention is seen when he asks not only from one daughter for their statement of love, but all three. When Cordelia responds “I love your majesty/According to my bond, no more nor less,” Lear acts flustered and replies with “How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little,/Lest you may mar your fortunes” (I.I.92-93), (I.I.94-95). When Lear says, “Mend your speech a little,” it indicates that he is incredulous and further accentuates his obliviousness to everything around him. He is also surprised that Cordelia will say her mind and oppose him without fear of losing the third of land that he had set aside for her. This further identifies his unawareness to his daughter’s motives as he is consumed by his need for people to reaffirm their love and his stature in society. The proclamations or attention by his three daughters shows that they are necessary to reassure him of his stature. This is shown when he leaves the castle and his power and stature slowly diminishes within society, caused by Goneril and Regan placing more restrictions on him. In conclusion, through Lear’s own fascination with himself and his title, his demands for his daughter’s affirmation shows his lack of awareness of their hidden motives.
most” exposes his expectations that the responses will be positive and fulfill his demands. His desire for attention is seen when he asks not only from one daughter for their statement of love, but all three. When Cordelia responds “I love your majesty/According to my bond, no more nor less,” Lear acts flustered and replies with “How, how, Cordelia? Mend your speech a little,/Lest you may mar your fortunes” (I.I.92-93), (I.I.94-95). When Lear says, “Mend your speech a little,” it indicates that he is incredulous and further accentuates his obliviousness to everything around him. He is also surprised that Cordelia will say her mind and oppose him without fear of losing the third of land that he had set aside for her. This further identifies his unawareness to his daughter’s motives as he is consumed by his need for people to reaffirm their love and his stature in society. The proclamations or attention by his three daughters shows that they are necessary to reassure him of his stature. This is shown when he leaves the castle and his power and stature slowly diminishes within society, caused by Goneril and Regan placing more restrictions on him. In conclusion, through Lear’s own fascination with himself and his title, his demands for his daughter’s affirmation shows his lack of awareness of their hidden motives.