ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Cordelia’s chief characteristics are devotion, kindness, beauty, and honesty-honesty to a fault, perhaps. Here, Cordelia is open and honest about her ties to Lear and her loyalty to him. She claims that because Lear fathered, nurtured, and loved her, she will obey, love, and honor him in return.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cordelia’s chief characteristics are devotion, kindness, beauty, and honesty-honesty to a fault, perhaps. She is contrasted throughout the play with Goneril and Regan, who are neither honest nor loving, and who manipulate their father for their own ends.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cordelia is the youngest of King Lear’s three daughters, and his favourite. After her elderly father offers her the opportunity to profess her love to him in return for one third of the land in his kingdom, she refuses and is banished for the majority of the play.

Detailed explanation-4: -However, Cordelia’s actions in Scene One of ‘King Lear’ cannot be seen as wholly admirable. This is because, Cordelia’s allegiance to duty seems callous compared to what love perhaps should be, and she is similarly flawed as Lear by considering a quantifiable characteristic of love.

Detailed explanation-5: -Each “good” character displays loyalty through selfless actions. Cordelia selflessly does not attempt to rob Lear of his wealth by flattering him. Even though she risks banishment, she selflessly refuses to indulge her father’s foolish wishes.