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 …show more content…
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 …show more content…
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
“Away, old man. Give me thy hand. Away!
King Lear hath lost, he and his daughter ta'en.
Give …show more content…
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 …show more content…
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