The absence of a strong traditional matriarchal character causes great tragedy and conflict in the play King Lear. This is shown through the characters choices made throughout the play. This loss greatly impacts the decision making of both King Lear and Gloucester. Cordelia, herself, has been impacted not by her own choices but by the choices of others. Regan and Goneril were most affected in the way they were raised. In their case; the traditional matriarchal figure was absent and unable to guide them to be traditionally proper women. The absence of the traditional mother figure is felt throughout the entirety of the play. .
Throughout the play there are many instances that could have been avoided had an understanding traditional matriarchal figure been present. For instance, when Cordelia is banished, had her mother, the Queen, been present to instill some insight on the situation Cordelia's course in life may have been altered for the better. "Upon our Kingdom: if, on the tenth day following, Thy banish'd trunk be found in our dominions/ The moment is thy death. Away! By Jupiter/ This shall not be revoked."(1.1.186-190). Although Kent attempts to calm the King, his efforts are in vain, without a strong, caring matriarchal counter to the King's decree Cordelia is banished without a second thought. A similar situation occurred when Gloucester choose his illegitimate son; had his wife been there to shed some light on the event both could have been saved from injury. "Would he deny his letter, said he? I never got him./ And of my land,/ Loyal and natural boy, I'll work the means/ To make thee capable" (2.1. 80, 85-87). In this instance Gloucester has been fooled by his illegitimate son Edmund; had the matriarchal figure been there to remind Gloucester that his son was raised a good person he would not have been misled. King Lear was also fooled by his two older daughters as they confessed "their undying love".
