Regan and Goneril Flashcards
Who is Goneril?
She is Lear’s eldest daughter who is married to Albany, whom she detests
How does Regan react to the love test in 1.1?
Regan tries to beat Goneril using hyperbole, which demonstrates the sisters’ competitiveness to the audience
What happens when Lear leaves the stage after dividing the kingdom between R and G?
They plot and scheme as to how they will take Lear’s remaining power, presenting them as conniving and disloyal
How does Lear react to Goneril telling him to “disquantity you [Lear’s] train”?
He curses her using feminine insults. He does this as it is disrespectful to both of his roles, father and king
How does G react to Lear bring 100 followers to her castle?
She allows him to, which presents her as sympathetic. Though, she instructs her servants to “put on what weary negligence you please” in an attempt to drive Lear out
What reason does Shakespeare possibly allude to as to why G and R take Lear’s remaining power?
They take this value of greed from their father, like Edmond takes it from Gloucester. Though they are handed this opportunity from Lear dividing the kingdom
How is the sisters’ cruelty shown to be more obvious as the play progresses?
It is shown through the treatment of Gloucester in “pluck out his eyes”. Though Cornwall and Regan carry out this order, Regan making the absurd comment of telling Gloucester to “smell his way to Dover”
How is a rift created between the two sisters?
Both sisters have love for Edmond, G tells Edmond he will get a “mistress’s command” though he is using both R and G to his own advantage
How does Regan react to Edmond and Goneril?
She is distrusted and confides in Oswald, which reveals a letter with directions for Edmond to kill Albany
What leads to R and G’s deaths?
They become rivals in their plots due to distrust caused originally from Edmond
How does G react to Lear bring 100 followers to her castle?
She allows him to, which presents her as sympathetic. Though, she instructs her servants to “put on what weary negligence you please” in an attempt to drive Lear out
What is R and G’s deaths an example of?
Poetic justice as Goneril is poisoned by Regan and then Regan kills herself to avoid her execution. Justice is served in both of their deaths, as they deserve to die
