King Lear is reacting to Cordelia's death. She has forgiven her
father and he regains a measure of peace because of this, accepting his
prison sentence with wisdom and courage, "We alone will sing like birds
i'th'cage." Having rediscovered "my child Cordelia" and her love, ("Oh my dear
father!") he now depends upon her. When she is gone, he cannot grasp this and
his madness returns. Without Cordelia, Lear could not live; thus, her
death ends his life and completes the tragedy of the tortured king.
Cordelia is the most appropriate character to cause Lear's death, because her
death brings about the most effective destruction of his happiness. Lear,
having come through the storm, and having lost the "great rage" that took hold
of him throughout the play, has begun to improve again. He is happy in his
daughter's care, and his recognition of her love shows his transition from king
to man in that he recognises her worth, and the value of her love. When she
dies, his world crashes and he is consumed with gief, he goes over the edge,
cursing life and demanding to understand how precious Cordelia could be dead.
It is incomprehensible to King Lear that others live while the pure Cordelia is
dead, his only chance at being whole, sane and happy.
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