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Edgar And Cordelia

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Edgar And Cordelia
The tragedy of King Lear shows many parallels between characters within the plot. This is evident especially of Cordelia and Edgar. Though dissimilar in character, throughout the play Cordelia and Edgars lives mirror each others. Cordelia and Edgar are both treated unjustly by their fathers, they both naively create their own fate, however the outcome of their actions and perspective differs greatly.

Cordelia and Edgar both follow a similar fate by being treated unjustly by their fathers. Cordelia refuses to profess her love to her father melodramatically as her sisters do when asked how much she loves him. This ultimately leads to her demise as she is banished from the kingdom and receives no land from her father. Her answer does not …show more content…
Cordelia shows her loyalty and devotion to her father till the end of the play while Edgar subtly seeks revenge upon his father. When Cordelia finds out how her sisters treated king lear and stripped him of everything she shows compassion Cordelia borrows 100 knights from her husband, the king of france and send them after lear in order to gain put him back into power. This shows how cordelia is sympathetic and although she is disowned her love for lear will triumph. Cordelia liberates king lear from her manipulative power hungry sisters even after being unfairly treated. Conversely Edgar has sadistic tendencies and does not allow for Gloucester to be forgiven for his unjust actions. When leading the gloucester edgar remains in the persona of poor tom, this way edgar makes gloucester remain guilty of his actions. Furthermore Edgar takes revenge on gloucester by tormenting him and letting him indulge in his suicidal thoughts, not to mention edgar then allows gloucester to make a ridiculous suicide attempt for edgars own amusement. This shows how although edgar doesn't want gloucester to die he does want him to suffer. When Edgar finally reveals his identity Gloucester dies of joy and shock. Edgars attitude towards the entire ordeal post-mortem is dark and ruthless. In the line said by Edgar: "The dark and vicious place where thee he got / cost him his eyes" (5.3.169-171) Edgar claims adultery is the reason Gloucester deserved the terrible punishment he
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