What is the tragic flaw of Cordelia King Lear written by William Shakespeare - between - tells the tragedy of the titular King Lear Cordelia's tragic flaw in the play is often interpreted as her inability or unwillingness to flatter her father King Lear as her sisters Goneril and Regan do Cordelia refuses to engage in the exaggerated declarations of love to her father She believes that her father should recognize her love Cordelia declares I love your majesty According to my bond no more nor less However her honesty is misinterpreted by Lear as a lack of love Lear banishes Cordelia King Lear roars Nothing will come of nothing Speak again Cordelia's flaw lies in her uncompromising honesty and inability to navigate her family's political and social dynamics It ultimately leads to her downfall In termination Cordelia s unwillingness to flatter his father starts a chain of events that