Cordelia Flashcards
Cordelia’s love speech
aside
Cordelia’s love speech main quotes
’’ i cannot heave my heart into my mouth’’
'’nothing’’
‘‘nothing will come of nothing’’
‘‘speak again’’
stichomythic dialogue - indicates lines are not shared and there is a pause and disconnect between the two.
echo of dialogue - emphasises Lear’s inability to believe anyone would speak to him in this way
scarcity and nature of Cordelia’s language ‘nothing’ antithesises her sisters’ use of extensive language of wealth and value.
“I love your majesty according to my bond, no more, no less” (ily how a daughter should love her father) - suggests filial obligation and a bond of natural affection between parent and child.
Cordelia describes herself as
‘poor Cordelia’ - her flattery will be poor, materially poor - contrasts her rich integrity
Sense of reality in Cordelia’s love speech
‘return those duties’
‘obey you, love you, honour you’
‘Why have my sister’s husbands if they say they love you all?’ - realistic, persuasive, putting her sisters on trial,
How does Cordelia end her speech?
‘Ay my good lord’
She retains a respectful address, juxtaposing Lear’s ‘wrath’ that follows.
Lear savage insulting quotes to Cordelia as he talks to Burgandy as B decides if he wants to marry Cordelia
Inf….
New adop….
Wretch…
‘Infirmities’ (flaws)
‘New adopted to our hate’
‘Wretch whom nature is ashamed t’acknowledge hers’
Hyperbolic
Excessive hatred
Irony of ‘infirmities’ as Lear is the one with a fatal flaw (hamartia)
Cordelia glib quote after a France has a speech on how Cordelia’s actions must have been monstrous for her to be banished cos she used to be Lear’s favourite
I don’t have a ‘glib and oily art to speak’
‘Such a tongue as I am glad I have not’ (I’m
Not a fortune hunter and don’t have a smooth way with words but I’m a better person because of it)
How does France describe Cordelia quote
She herself is as valuable as any dowry could be
Why does Cordelia say she won’t marry Burgandy quote
Since that respects and fortunes are his love
Cordelia knowing of her sisters’ superficiality quote
I know you what you are,
Cordelia jewels father quote
XXX
The jewels of our father, with washed eyes
Cordelia knows her sisters only value Lear financially
pronoun - ‘our’ - reminds of of their blood relation and yet Cordelia is so different.
Also says ‘love well, our father’
Cordelia kind about her father’s care
I would prefer him to a better place. (than w her sisters)
time shall unfold…
Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides
Glib…
Glib and oily art
Glib - fluent but insincere and shallow
Oily - adjective - suggests sickening
Tactile imagery
Link to Edmund - similarly uses words (manipulating Gloucesters fear of planets etc)
Cordelia not easily deceived, she’s sees her sister’s sycophantic nature
Modern audience - impressed by her character and ability to remain true to herself in the face of adversity
