# King Lear — Democracy and Social Ethics character guide

> King Lear in Democracy and Social Ethics by Jane Addams.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Lear

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-filial-relations

## Who they are

A tragic king referenced as a literary example in discussions of filial relations and family dynamics.

## Relationships

### [Cordelia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_and_social_ethics_se/characters/cordelia)

_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 the story

### [Democracy and Social Ethics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_and_social_ethics_se/chapters/democracy-and-social-ethics)

Referenced as a figure representing the clash between personal and social morality.

### [II: Charitable Effort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_and_social_ethics_se/chapters/ii-charitable-effort)

Referenced implicitly through the theme of charity and the tension between natural impulse and social duty, echoing Lear's own struggles with generosity and authority.

### [Household Adjustment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_and_social_ethics_se/chapters/iv-household-adjustment)

Referenced indirectly through the concept of 'unconscious slavery' and the revolt against it, drawing a parallel to Lear's tragic isolation and loss of dignity.

### [Industrial Amelioration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_and_social_ethics_se/chapters/v-industrial-amelioration)

Referenced implicitly through the theme of a powerful individual losing touch with the moral reality of those he governs, akin to Lear's blindness to his daughters' true natures.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_and_social_ethics_se/characters/king_lear
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_and_social_ethics_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/democracy_and_social_ethics_se/characters