Cordelia

Cordelia

1. While her appearances are rare, her character remains etched indelibly

   • Her courage and integrity are immediately evident
     • Risks losing her inheritance - refuses to employ the "glib and oily art" of flattery effectively used by her sisters
     • Cordelia's motto: "love and be silent"
     • Prefaces her declaration of love for her father by stating "I cannot heave my heart into my mouth"

2. Shrewd and sharp- witted seeing her sisters for what they are:

   • "I know what you are"
   • Her loving and forgiving nature is evident in her concern for her father
     • "I would prefer him in a better place"
   • Critic quote
     • "Cordelia is the full realisation. She is the norm by which the wrongness of Edmund's world
       • and the imperfection of Lear is judged"

3. Her generous and forgiving nature is reflected in her desire to restore Lear's "bereaved nature"

   • Displays her leadership qualities when she leads the French expedition to rescue Lear
     • Seen as a healing agent who comforts and consoles her suffering father
       • "let this kiss repair those violent harms"

4. Key Adjectives

   • good, virtuous
     • stubborn, slightly obstinate
   • honest, sincere, candid
   • brave, courageous
     • shrewd, perceptive, astute
       • capable
     • loving, tender, affectionate
     • forgiving, compassionate
   • calm, composed