# Cordelia — King Lear character guide

> Cordelia in King Lear by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Cordelia Aside, Cordelia Sir, Cordelia Alack, Alack, Cordelia Peace, Cordelia Time, Cordelia⁠

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

Lear's youngest daughter, who refuses to flatter and is disowned for it, answering her father's demand for a speech with the plainest truth.

## Who they are

Cordelia stands before the court as the daughter Lear loved most, expected to outdo her sisters in declarations of devotion. Instead she offers only what she owes, love according to her bond, and is cast off in a fury that leaves her dowerless and married to the King of France. Her honesty is the play's measure of everything Lear cannot yet hear, and her absence haunts the middle of the tragedy as the cost of his pride.

## Relationships

### [King Lear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/king_lear)

_family_

Cordelia is Lear's youngest daughter, deeply loved but disowned for her honest refusal to flatter him.

### [Edmund](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/edmund)

_rivalry_

Cordelia opposes Edmund's treachery as she leads the French army to rescue her father from his plots.

### [Gloucester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/gloucester)

_friendship_

Cordelia shows compassion for Gloucester, and he supports her cause against Lear's cruel daughters.

### [Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/doctor)

_professional_

Cordelia employs a doctor to tend to the mad King Lear, showing her care and desire to heal him.

### [Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/doctor)

_professional_

Cordelia employs a doctor to tend to the mad King Lear, showing her care and desire to heal him.

### [King Lear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/king_lear)

_family_

Cordelia is Lear's youngest daughter, deeply loved but disowned for her honest refusal to flatter him.

### [Gloucester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/gloucester)

_friendship_

Cordelia shows compassion for Gloucester, and he supports her cause against Lear's cruel daughters.

### [King Lear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/king_lear)

_family_

Cordelia is Lear's youngest daughter, deeply loved but disowned for her honest refusal to flatter him.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Refuses to flatter Lear, is disowned, and departs with the King of France.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Mentioned in Kent's letter; she is aware of his disguised service.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Mentioned as the intended recipient of Kent's ring; the Gentleman is to seek her in Dover.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii)

Cordelia is in the French camp, deeply affected by news of Lear's suffering. She weeps but maintains composure, showing both grief and dignity.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iv)

Takes charge of the search for Lear, expresses deep concern for his madness, and declares her motives are love and her father's right, not ambition.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vii)

Tends to her father with compassion, forgives him unconditionally, and seeks to restore his health.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-v-scene-ii)

Appears with Lear and soldiers; reported captured after the battle.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Captured and led to prison, later hanged on Edmund's orders; Lear finds her dead.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/cordelia
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters