Cordelia was the youngest of King Lear’s daughters. One day, King Lear was distributing his land to his daughters and asked them who loved him best. Each of the other two daughters says they love him more than anything else in the world, but Cordelia says she doesn’t have the words to tell her father how much she loves him. King Lear takes offense to this and disowns Cordelia. Upon learning that Cordelia had been disowned, one her two suitors decides he doesn’t want her anymore, and the other, the King of France, marries her anyway, impressed by her honesty.

After receiving land and power, King Lear’s other daughters no longer respect him. He goes crazy and starts wandering around during storms and ranting about his two ungrateful daughters. Eventually, he crosses paths with Cordelia (and the French army). He becomes sane enough to recognize her. But then someone murders her.