After reading this play, I found it hard to believe that Cordelia was being anything but true in her simple proclamation of love for her father. I can't believe that Shakespeare was trying to portray her as a spoiled, prideful child. I do not believe she was foolish in her decision to restrain from trying to persuade him into giving her a larger portion of his kingdom. I think it was apparent early that Cordelia …showed first 75 words of 711 total…

…showed last 75 words of 711 total…iv, ln 273-277). It would take an entire book to explain all the ramifications of his great folly. However, I can say that the deaths of Goneril, Regan, Cordelia, and of himself may be attributed to his mistake. He also caused a war between Britain and France that should not have occurred. I believe it is clear that Lear acted as a fool when giving his land to Goneril and Regan, but not to Cordelia.