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.

In Shakespeare's 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 Cordelia's soul that manifests good in the face of evil? What qualities make her the play's 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, HOWEVER SPARSE, DEFINE CORDELIA AS HONEST, SELFLESS AND COURAGEOUS. It is these qualities that display Cordelia's clear comprehension

Soon may I hear and see him, (IV,iv, 22-9)"

Cordelia's courage in the face of catastrophe further amplifies her virtue. When Lear rages against her, she does not cower, but rather accepts his will and moves on. When it is time to wage war, Cordelia shows no fear of the enemy. And even when held captive, she simply assesses the situation, and laments the outcome. While this courage may indeed be viewed as foolish, it must be remembered that Cordelia never displays a concern for herself. Her fortune and her life pale, in her belief, to those of her father and king. Again, the rewards of her deeds go to Lear.

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 performing 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 king's decision with silence. She knows the consequences of her actions, yet does not stray from her ethical duties.

My mourning, and importuned tears hath pitied.

Cordelia's life is the embodiment of tragedy. She willingly suffers so that others will not be made to. It is left un

Some common words found in the essay are:
Majesty According, King Lear, Viii7 Cordelia, SELFLESS COURAGEOUS, Lear Cordelia's, III Lear, Goneril Regan, king lear, cordelia speaks,
Approximate Word count = 1068
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)