Although the Fool and Cordelia are similarly candid towards their King, they never interact in Shakespeare’s King Lear, because the Fool is a chaotic influence while Cordelia is a stabilizing force. While the Fool and Cordelia both act in the Lear’s best interest, it is not always evident to Lear. The Fool’s actions often anger the King, and lead to an increase in his madness. On the other hand, Cordelia’s actions more often soothe Lear, and coax him back into sanity. Another commonality between the Fool and Cordelia is their honesty.
Both the Fool and Cordelia are frank with Lear, though he may not always appreciate that they do so for his own good. In Shakespeare’s King Lear, the Fool is a source of chaos and disruption in King Lear’s tumultuous life. The Fool causes the King distress by insulting him, making light of his problems, and telling him the truth. On the road to Regan’s, the Fool says “If thou wert my Fool, nuncle, I’d have thee / beaten for being old before thy time.” (1. 5. 40-41).
He denies the king the respect due to him as an aged King, causing the King to wonder at his worthiness. The fool also makes light of Lear’s qualms making snide remarks in response to Lear’s ruminations. When Lear asks Edgar cryptically, “wouldst thou give ’em all?” the Fool responds, “Nay, he reserved a blanket, else we had been all shamed” (3. 4. 69-72).
The Fool’s snide remarks do little to maintain Lear’s fragile control of his faculties. However, the Fool speaks to the king candidly, a rare occasion in Lear’s life. Even Kent acknowledges the truth of the Fool’s statements, saying, “This is not altogether fool, my lord” (1. 4. 155). While the Fool disrupts Lear’s mental state, Cordelia steadies him with compassion, understanding, and truth.
When Cordelia has rescued the King, she says that “Mine enemy’s dog, / though he had bit me, should have stood that night / Against my fire” (4. 7. 42-44). Cordelia is amazed at her sisters’ treatment of Lear because she cannot comprehend the actions of such uncaring people. Cordelia’s considerate nature soothes the King’s overwrought mind. Because the King seems rash and even irrational at times, those who understand him are few.
His youngest daughter knows what Lear goes through with her sisters, and wishes that she could “Repair those violent harms that my two sisters / Have in thy reverence made.” (4. 7. 33-34). However, Cordelia knows that what is best for the King is not always what is easiest. Just as the Fool is frank with Lear, so is Cordelia. When the King wants to take the measure of her love, she tells him, “I cannot heave my heart into my mouth.
I love your Majesty / According to my bond” (1. 1. 100-102). Cordelia understands that to fawn over the King as her sisters did would tarnish her love for him. Though both the Fool and Cordelia are forthright with the King, they are dissimilar in other crucial ways. The scenes that involve the Fool are fraught with madness and are confused at best, while the scenes involving Cordelia deal with love and are restrained.
During a prolonged discussion with the fool, the King asks “Dost thou call me “fool,” boy?” (1. 4. 152). The King has taken offence at the Fool’s quick tongue, and has immediately become angry.
The Fool also accompanies Lear as he shouts into the storm, “Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! Spout, rain! / Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire are my daughters.” (3. 2. 16-17). Though Lear is prone to anger when he is with the Fool that is not the case when he is with Cordelia. On the contrary, Cordelia’s influence is very soothing. Though Lear has been furious at many trivialities throughout the play, his and Cordelia’s capture does not seem to disturb him in the slightest.
In fact, he seems to treasure the idea of a little peace and quiet, saying, “We two alone will sing like birds I’ th’ cage” (5. 3. 10). In the first Act, Lear asks a very pointed question, “Who is it that can tell me who I am?” (1. 4.
236). The Fool, honest as always answers that he is “Lear’s shadow.” (1. 4. 237). Throughout the drama, the King is but a shadow of his former self. Though Cordelia and the Fool attempt to stall his waning through honesty, they are unsuccessful.
Perhaps they would have been more successful had they combined their forces into one unified strike against the madness of their King.