"An Analysis of the Relationship between Goneril and Regan in King Lear"
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IB English year 1
Ms. *****
4 October 2008
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"An Analysis of the Relationship between Goneril and Regan in King Lear"
The historical tragedy of King Lear by William Shakespeare revolves around deceit, tragedy, and violations of social statuses. King Lear lives in a time when offspring contrive against their fathers, friends become enemies, and even the most honesty of characters die in agony as the story reaches its unfortunate ending. Shakespeare, in designing the plot, intends to enlighten us morally on multiple magnitudes. We are often told that Goneril and Regan are "bad" characters, and that their collaborations are what stimulate tragedy, misfortune, and the ultimate death of both primary and secondary characters. Through my experience with King Lear, I do not disagree with this view but rather extend this theory. Despite what is characteristically evident of each player in King Lear, Shakespeare leaves much room for in-depth discussion and further interpretations of his characters.
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Goneril and Regan from King LearThe significant and special relationship between Goneril and Regan not only stimulates tragedy and misfortune but also illustrates major thematic ideas and advances the plot in ways that only Goneril and Regan could.
Goneril and Regan have a long and complex relationship. Since they are the two eldest daughters of King Lear, we can assume that they have been together since infancy. This is a very interesting scenario in Elizabethan times because it is usually the King's son who inherits the entire kingdom; however, in the case of King Lear, there are three daughters instead of a son. The sisters are not unintelligent, and it is acceptable to suspect that Goneril and Regan have been fighting both socially and morally for the throne. We first observe evidence of this in...