King Lear: Like Father Like Daughter?

King Lear: Like Father Like Daughter? The statement “Like father, like son/daughter” is a statement which can often be difficult to prove. However in the case of several characters in Shakespeare’s “King Lear” the statement is especially evident. After examining the personalities and relationships of the main characters, one will discover how similar many of the characters are to each other, specifically comparisons between parents to their children. King Lear, with three diverse daughters surprisingly shares an abundance of characteristics with them. Through Goneril and Regan we see Lear as shallow and dependant on the opinions of others, while through Cordelia we see him as stubborn, yet also as righteous. Through character analysis of King Lear and his children, similarities between the identities of the family will be revealed in agreement with the statement “Like father, like daughter”. It is made clear in the beginning of the story that Lear showed favouritism towards his youngest daughter Cordelia. In the opinion of many, Lear and Cordelia share plenty of common personality traits. Both Cordelia and her father are stubborn. Lear is used to getting his way, and becomes impulsive in his decisions when Cordelia does not give into him. He refuses to take the advice of his Fool and becomes hard headed. Cordelia is stubborn in the sense that she understands her father’s wishes, but does not give into them. If Cordelia had played along with her sisters she would have remained the favourite, and plenty of events in the play would not have occurred. For the sake of her father Cordelia should have followed the example of her sisters. It is at this point where we see both Lear and his daughter being persistent and trying to both get their way, which we know is not possible.
Although Cordelia’s actions could be considered selfish, as they led to the ultimate madness of her father, they could also be considered righteous. She understands what is wrong and what is

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