Goneril Flashcards
Goneril being sycophantic and deceptive:
Goneril shamelessly feeds her father’s ego with her public declarations of love.
‘Sir, I do love you more than words can wield the matter(Act 1 scene 1)
How does Goneril show ingratitude towards Lear?
Despite receiving half of Lear’s kingdom, she criticizes his behavior and shows no concern for him.
‘You see how full of changes his age is’ (Act 1, scene 1)
What does Goneril’s comment about Lear’s age reveal?
She is a hypocritical liar. In conversation with Regan, Goneril reveals her true nature and thoughts, claiming Lear is going senile.
‘Tis the infirmity of his age. Yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself’ (Act 1, scene 1)
Example of goneril being calculating and manipulative
She instigates a collaboration with Regan to devise a future plan involving their father.
‘Pray you, let’s sit together’ (Act 1, scene 1)
Goneril’s scheming and quick thinking
Goneril confides in Regan that they must quickly come up with a plan.
‘We must do something, and i’ the heat’ (Act 1, scene 1)
How does Goneril plan to provoke Lear?
She concocts a sinister plan to provoke Lear, showing a lack of feeling for him.
‘When he returns from hunting/ I will not speak with him. Say I am sick’ (Act 1, scene 3)
How is goneril forceful
Lear is astonished that Goneril reduces his retinue.
‘What, fifty of my followers and at a clap?’ (Act 1, scene 4)
How does Lear describe Goneril’s behavior?
Lear deems Goneril’s unnatural conduct as monstrous through animal imagery.
‘How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is/ To have a thankless child’ (Act 1, scene 4)
How is goneril inhumane and ruthless
She cruelly states that Lear’s suffering is his own fault, showing her callousness.
‘’Tis his own blame. Hath put himself from rest, And needs must taste his folly’ (Act 2, scene 4)
How is Goneril’s treatment of Lear characterized by Albany?
Goneril’s husband highlights her inhumane and unfeeling nature.
‘Tigers, not daughters, what have you performed?’
How is gonerils Coolness and calculation destroyed by passion
Goneril upsets all natural values when she suggests that Edmund should take her husband’s (Albany’s) place. In her letter to Edmund she instructs him- ‘to cuff him off’- (Act 4 scene 2)
What character traits does Goneril display in Act 5?
Her jealousy over Edmund leads her to become irrational, rash, and foolish.
She dies as a villain, showing no remorse.
How does Goneril treat Regan?
Goneril displays a complete lack of moral scruples as she murders Regan by poisoning her.
‘If not, I’ll ne’er trust medicine’.
What is the outcome of Goneril’s evil actions?
Goneril’s lust and jealousy lead her to take her own life by stabbing herself. She becomes self destructive
