Democracy and Social Ethics · Character
Cordelia
Lear's loyal daughter, cited as a model of filial virtue in social ethics discussions.
minor
First appearance: iii filial relations
Cordelia's tie to King Lear is one of the pressures that moves Democracy and Social Ethics—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.
Mentioned in the context of familial duty versus social responsibility.
Cordelia first appears in 0005 iii filial relations.
With King Lear (family): Cordelia is King Lear's youngest daughter, whose honest but blunt refusal to flatter him leads to her disinheritance and banishment, yet she remains devoted to him in his madness and downfall.
In Democracy and Social Ethics: Mentioned in the context of familial duty versus social responsibility.
Later, in II: Charitable Effort: Alluded to in the context of the charity visitor's humility and the ideal of 'walking humbly,' reminiscent of Cordelia's honest and selfless love.
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Character Web
1 connectionA slice of how Cordelia sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Family
Character groups
- Protagonist
- Filial and ethical exemplars
Explore ties, sentiment, and clusters while you read
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when Addams confronts the ethical chasm between the "well-to-do" r…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingRelationships
- King Lear
family · ambivalent
Cordelia is King Lear's youngest daughter, whose honest but blunt refusal to flatter him… How this plays out →
Relationship notes
How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.
See Cordelia in iii filial relationsIn the story
Cordelia appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Cordelia unlock in the free preview.
See Cordelia in iii filial relations