Vol. 39 No. 1 (1991)
Research Article

TWO NOTES ON SHAKESPEARE: The Codification of Cordelia's Name

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  • Robert F. Fleissner
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/nam.1991.39.1.42

Published 1991-03-01

Copyright (c) 1991 Maney

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Abstract

Although etymologically Cordelia's name relates to cor de ilia ‘ with, or from, the heart’ and the name in King Lear suggests an anagram of ideal heart, such sentiment is at variance with her failure to communicate with the king and her self-willed behavior. Thus, it may be helpful to see in her name another anagram, cord and a lie, suggesting that her response to Lear, despite her good intentions, is a breaking of her bond to him.

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