Well I was alway read Cordelia as being to honest for her own good, and yes Obstinate. She could have just lied to shut the old guy up (although his initail plan is still so insane it would end badly). Lear had almost certainly decieded which daughter was getting what anyway, so all she has to do is indulge Him! But no shes all "unable to heave my heart" and no "glib and oilly tongue". Foolish mortal!
The King of France was held up by the fact he had a french army (i.e. Useless)! Seriously though, I am not sure how audeince s back in Shakespeares day would have reacted to a play showing the french invading on screen and as the good guys! I think thats why he kept them off stage.
Just another reason why the play is actually really silly! The orignal legend works, becaue, well in legends people do silly things (after all they are just to illustrate a point!). But the play...give Me Hamlet any day!
Re:
Well I was alway read Cordelia as being to honest for her own good, and yes Obstinate. She could have just lied to shut the old guy up (although his initail plan is still so insane it would end badly). Lear had almost certainly decieded which daughter was getting what anyway, so all she has to do is indulge Him! But no shes all "unable to heave my heart" and no "glib and oilly tongue". Foolish mortal!
The King of France was held up by the fact he had a french army (i.e. Useless)! Seriously though, I am not sure how audeince s back in Shakespeares day would have reacted to a play showing the french invading on screen and as the good guys! I think thats why he kept them off stage.
Just another reason why the play is actually really silly! The orignal legend works, becaue, well in legends people do silly things (after all they are just to illustrate a point!). But the play...give Me Hamlet any day!