france character analysis

still wants to marry cordelia despite not having a dowry

recognises lear’s hypocrisy

only character who is of the same social standing as lear in the beginning of the play. the fact france calls him out means we cannot attribute lear’s disownment of cordelia as anything to do with his actual status but rather his warped perception of his own power and greed

baseline example of a good king ; sacrifices for the ones he loves (goes to war for cordelia so lear can be restored to the thrown) , wishes for order to be restored (invades so lear can be restored) , loyalty to his country (going back to take care of a problem at home) , is not blind and can see the truth throughout (calling lear out for disowning cordelia for such a small issue) , sees power in a non materialistic way (your poverty makes you rich)

france provides for cordelia in a way that lear could not due to lear’s own greed

juxtaposition between lear and france ; loyalty towards country (going back to france to take care of a problem at home), whereas lear charters away his country and puts them at war for his own greed and selfishness