The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 13.2332  Monday, 25 November 2002

From:           Ed Taft <
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Date:           Friday, 22 Nov 2002 12:10:51 -0500
Subject:        Edgar and Edmund

Carol Barton (It's good to see you back, buddy!) writes:

"Cordelia's stubborn refusal to mend her speech, even a little, is as
foolish and self-defeating as is Lear's stubborn refusal to recognize
the fidelity in her disobedience. He knows she loves him, but cannot
brook her defiance---and she knows, or should know, the extent to which
she provokes him by maintaining it."

I used to think this way too, Carol, but I now believe that Cordelia
"does what she has to do." After all, the "coronet" is for her when and
if Lear succeeds in trapping her into taking care of him in his dotage!
To achieve this, Lear must make her give up the idea of marriage to
either guy, both of whom live ELSEWHERE.

Cordelia can't back down even a whit -- and that's because her wish to
marry and start a new, married life is on the line.

Make sense?

--Ed Taft

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