2002 Paper 2 - Section 1

Outline Guidelines for answering the above question: Remember this question asks you to address Cordelia's role in the play rather than analysing her character Although Cordelia appears in act one, scene one and disappears until act four, she has an enormous impact on the play as a whole. Some points to consider: She sparks the action in the play — her actions prompt Lear's stupidity and subsequent action. Her refusal to 'heave her heart into' her mouth causes Lear to banish her and he ends up at the mercy of his two evil daughters. She acts as a perfect foil for her evil sisters, Goneril and Regan. Her reaction to them at the start of the play leaves the audience interested but suspicious. Her words 'nothing, my lord' and Lear's actions arising from them trigger the theme of 'nothingness' in the play. She brings the theme of 'appearance versus reality' to the forefront. She is a symbol of good amidst the evil characters within the play. She personifies true love in the play. She forgives her father and strives to look after him despite his betrayal of her. She honours her filial duty within the play. Her death adds to the tragedy of the play. Her scenes with Lear in act four provide much poignancy and shows the reader how much Lear has changed. Kent's loyalty towards Cordelia causes his banishment. Both herself and Edmund are needed in the play to represent good. If they were not there the audience would have a very pessimistic view of the world. She provides a more flattering view of women than that of her sisters. Her actions at the start of the play provide us with an explosive opening and create much suspense.