Goneril and Regan

12. Goneril and Regan both have a partner. Regan seems to share her ruthless streak with her spouse who
plucks the “vile jelly” out of Cornwall’s eyes. Although they are similar it is apparent that she cared little for
him as she quickly moved on, I am unsure if she was never in love with him and her father forced her hand or
the more likely option she used his status to further her influence. Goneril on the other hand constantly
belittles her spouse calling him a “vain fool” the manner in which she speaks to him suggests that she views
herself as the dominant figure of the marriage. Both of the sisters desire Edmund when Albany states that they
only way Edmund could be his equal is through marrying Regan she replies “Jester oft prove prophets”
confirming her desires to do so quickly after becoming a widow, unwilling to wait for the maggots emerge
from Cornwall. Goneril states “I had rather lose the battle than that sister should loosen him and me” showing
how far she would go for him. She follows through on this claim taking the life of both herself and Regan from
a vial of poison. Edmund is thrilled by this outcome stating “yet Edmund was beloved” as he views their
deaths as proof the adored him.

13 + 14

Good
Inspires loyalty: Oswald is unwilling to betray Goneril when Regan
offers him the chance to be a double agent. Edgar refers to him as a
“serviceable villain”
Ambitious: “Another way the news is not so tart” Goneril is aware
that the death of Cornwall gives her an opportunity to gain control
over Britain
Cunning: “I’ll receive him gladly, but not one follower” she is aware
that Lear has fled and will not be held accountable for this offer
Well-spoken: “I am alone felicitate in your dear highness’s love” is
Regan expressing her feigned feelings towards Lear
15
Bad
Hypocritical: “If it be true, all vengeance comes too short” too
express her distaste for Edgar’s alleged assassination plot for
Gloucester while later
Irrational: “I had rather lose the battle than that sister should loosen
him and me” Goneril is willing to die over losing Edmund. She is
blinded by him.
Malicious: Regan states “One side will mock another” meaning they
should pluck out the other eye to make Gloucester face symmetrical
Belittling: “Milk-livered man” Goneril constantly tries to belittle
Albany her husband

While I find both Regan and Goneril to be some the most detestable character’s that I have ever encountered I
find aspects of myself in both as even a pauper and a prince have common. I find Regan’s need to finish a job is
expressed when she plainly state “One side will mock another” as she feels as though if you are going to
commit the act of gouging someone’s eye out then why stop at one. If you intend to shot the general, you kill
him as if you are merciful then he may resent you and fixate on making your life a Kafkaesque march to a three
foot grave. Regan is expressing a desire to hurt Gloucester so badly he would be unable to fight back stating
“let him smell his way to Dover”. While I think if I were put in this situation I would swiftly and painfully end
Gloucester’s life, I believe if someone were to betray my trust malice might command I act towards them in a
similar manner.

At the start of the play Lear states that a privilege he will maintain is “hundred knights by you to be
maintained” meaning that Goneril and Regan will pay for Lear’s private army as a way to keep the
egomaniacal, irrational tyrant he once was joyous. Goneril confronts “a hundred knights and squires”. This is
Goneril calling Lear out on his extensive private army controlled by the dotard he has descended into. Goneril
is threated by the influence of such a humongous army and the economic problems associated with
maintaining them. She is simple looking from a logical perspective dethatching herself from her blinding
emotions and being pragmatic much like myself on an everyday basis. I also relate to Goneril as she exchanged
unkind words with her partner Cornwall referring to him as a “Milk-livered man”. I like most human being
express an vile side of ourselves from time to time and insults are the purest form of humanity’s cud of
resentment, regurgitating our failures against those innocent of the act.