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Although he only appears in the play’s first scene, the King of France serves an important role in the play as the drama between Lear’s three daughters unfolds. He is the one who looks past Cordelia’s lack of a dowry and marries her anyway, citing her good heart and honest demeanor. This choice, which the King of France makes despite clear warnings from Lear and the Duke of Burgundy, highlights his outstanding moral character. Unlike most of the other members of the royal family, greed is not the driving force behind the King of France’s actions, and he views Cordelia as an individual rather than a political pawn. Cordelia’s marriage and departure for France inevitably have a significant impact on how the remainder of the play’s events unfold. Without her presence in England, Goneril and Regan feel as though they have free rein to terrorize their father. The King of France, however, helps Cordelia reconnect with Lear by sending the French army along with her to England in Act IV. This show of support for his wife further reinforces his generous spirit and sense of justice. Unfortunately, Cordelia and the French army are unsuccessful in their attempts to bring down Goneril, Regan, and Edmund, and Cordelia dies as a result. Shakespeare offers no indication as to what happens to the King of France in the aftermath of this tragedy, but given his seemingly genuine affection for Cordelia, he will likely mourn her loss alongside the rest of the kingdom.
