How Does Shakespeare Present Cordelia In King Lear

In Act V, from scene i to scene iii where the herald enters on pages 227 to 243, the overall atmosphere or mood is unexpected. This is clearly evident through the main characters and the events that surpass, that the audience may assume that order and justice would have triumphed over villainy and cruelty. However, that is not the case. Although Cordelia, has just been reunited with Lear, her father, giving the audience a cathartic moment of relief by suggesting that justice shall prevail. Nevertheless, Shakespeare revokes this hope when Edgar encourages Gloucester to disperse, announcing that Cordelia loses the battle against Edmund and Albany.

“Away, old man. Give me thy hand. Away!

King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en.

Give
me thy hand. Come on.” (V.ii.6-7)

The urgency in Edgar's voice when he orders his father to leave, suggests he too expected justice would have prevailed, giving Cordelia the upper hand;evidently that is not the case.
Another reason this could be unexpected is because Cordelia has been an upstanding character throughout the play, and she is absent for a considerable amount of time. One could believe that because of her integrity coupled with her absence in France, giving her time to prepare for war,that Shakespeare may have rewarded her by allowing her to win the battle.Unfortunately that is not the case.

Another unexpected situation, is when Regan and Goneril begin fighting over Edmund's hand marriage.This is unexpected because the sisters, had such a strong bond when they collaborated to exclude their father, Lear, from their lives; leaving him homeless.

“To both these sisters have I sworn my
love,

Each jealous of the other as the stung

Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?

Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoyed

If both remain alive.”(V.i.63-67)

In this scene,the audience learns from Edmund, that he has promised himself to both sisters, However one cannot deduce from Edmund’s speech which of the sisters he prefers—or, in fact, whether he really loves either of them—but it is clear that he has created a problem for himself by professing love for both.

The audience may find it unexpected that as long as Lear, the sister’s father, is a victim, Goneril and Regan would remain united. However, with power that they assume Edmund will receive,they begin squabbling over his affections, thus breaking their sisterly bond forever.

Another unexpected occurrence is when , Cordelia and Lear after the battle are then captured and have been taken as prisoners.
They await their fate, which appears dismal.Edmund yells out an instruction to the Captain, one of the soldiers accompanying them,giving him a note which hints to the notion that if the soldier kills the prisoners, he will be rewarded.

“Come hither, captain. Hark.

(gives FIRST CAPTAIN a document)

Take thou this note. Go follow them to prison.

One step I have advanced thee. If thou dost

As this instructs thee, thou dost make thy way

To noble fortunes.”(V.iii.33-35)

As this play is a tragedy, one could assume the play will end in death. This in reinforced on the title of the play and on the cover of the script - Shakespeare generally names his plays after significant character's death. Nevertheless, the audience may assume that because Cordelia has been an innocent and honest character throughout the play, the audience might expect her life would be spared. Nevertheless, the Captain’s agreement in following through with Edmund's request, reinforces that there is no hope, which is an unexpected
twist.

Lastly, an example where the mood of the audience can be described as unexpected is when Albany attempts to stand up and preserve the just order and law of Britain. Edmund has just violated in his instructions to the Captain to kill Cordelia and Lear illegally.

“Stay yet. Hear reason.—Edmund, I arrest thee

On capital treason, and in thine attaint

This gilded serpent.”(indicates GONERIL)(V.iii.85-87)

This is unexpected because Albany had fought alongside Edmund, but now Albany seems to possess a feeling of remorse and decides to do his civic duty by attempting to arrest Edmund, as Albany might be the next king. Before this instance the audience may have considered Albany an enemy because he has spent the majority of the play on the opposing side, yet Shakespeare, in only a few moments after the war, encourages the audience to accept him as a hero.