king lear character studies

8/13/2019 King Lear Character Studies

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EAVING CERTIFICATESTUDY GUIDE

King earbyWilliam ShakeseareC!ARACTERSA"i#e $%Dris&"ll

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Contents

King Lear.............................................................................................Page 5

Cordelia..............................................................................................Page 11

Goneril...............................................................................................Page 13

Regan.................................................................................................Page 15

Gloucester..........................................................................................Page 17

Edmund..............................................................................................Page 19

Edgar..................................................................................................Page 21

tudent!s "otes..................................................................................Page 22




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On Quoting Shakespeare

#$

%ernard Le&in

'f $ou cannot understand m$ argument( and declare )'t!s Gree* to me)( $ou are

+uoting ,a*es-eare if $ou claim to #e more sinned against t,an sinning( $ou are

+uoting ,a*es-eare if $ou recall $our salad da$s( $ou are +uoting ,a*es-eare if

$ou act more in sorrow t,an in anger( if $our wis, is fat,er to t,e t,oug,t( if $our lost

-ro-ert$ ,as &anis,ed into t,in air( $ou are +uoting ,a*es-eare if $ou ,a&e e&er

refused to #udge an inc, or suffered from green/e$ed 0ealous$( if $ou ,a&e -la$ed

fast and loose( if $ou ,a&e #een tongue/tied( a tower of strengt,( ,oodwin*ed or in a

-ic*le( if $ou ,a&e *nitted $our #rows( made a &irtue of necessit$( insisted on fair -la$( sle-t not one win*( stood on ceremon$( danced attendance on $our lord and

master( laug,ed $ourself into stitc,es( ,ad s,ort s,rift( cold comfort or too muc, of a

good t,ing( if $ou ,a&e seen #etter da$s or li&ed in a fool!s -aradise / w,$( #e t,at as

it ma$( t,e more fool $ou( for it is a foregone conclusion t,at $ou are as good luc*

would ,a&e it +uoting ,a*es-eare if $ou t,in* it is earl$ da$s and clear out #ag and

#aggage( if $ou t,in* it is ,ig, time and t,at t,at is t,e long and s,ort of it( if $ou

#elie&e t,at t,e game is u- and t,at trut, will out e&en if it in&ol&es $our own fles,

and #lood( if $ou lie low till t,e crac* of doom #ecause $ou sus-ect foul -la$( if $ou

,a&e $our teet, set on edge at one fell swoo- wit,out r,$me or reason( t,en / togi&e t,e de&il ,is due / if t,e trut, were *nown for surel$ $ou ,a&e a tongue in $our

,ead $ou are +uoting ,a*es-eare e&en if $ou #id me good riddance and send me

-ac*ing( if $ou wis, ' were dead as a door/nail( if $ou t,in* ' am an e$esore( a

laug,ing stoc*( t,e de&il incarnate( a ston$/,earted &illain( #lood$/minded or a

#lin*ing idiot( t,en / #$ o&e4 Lord4 6ut( tut4 for goodness! sa*e4 w,at t,e dic*ens4

#ut me no #uts / it is all one to me( for $ou are +uoting ,a*es-eare.

The Story of English :Robert McCrum, William Cran, Robert MacNeil

!!' am a man

ore sinn!d against t,an sinning.!!

King Lear 8ct 3( scene 2( 57:;

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King Lear

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

=,en we first meet Lear( ,e seems to #e a -owerful( decisi&e figure. >e commands

t,e res-ect of t,ose around ,im and is clearl$ used to #eing o#e$ed. >e announces

,is -lan to di&ide t,e *ingdom #etween ,is t,ree daug,ters so t,at ,e can ''shake all

cares an !usiness "ro# our age$'' and en0o$ ,is final $ears in -eace.

=e soon realise( ,owe&er( t,at Lear is &ain and egotistical selfis, or self/centred.

>e demands t,at ,is daug,ters tell ,im ,ow muc, t,e$ lo&e ,im and ,e sa$s ,e will

gi&e t,e ''largest !ount%'' to t,e winner of t,is #i?arre lo&e test. 8lt,oug, it is

o#&ious t,at Goneril and Regan are flattering Lear and are not #eing sincere( Lear is

more t,an ,a--$ to #elie&e t,em. 6,is is our first indication t,at Lear ma$ #e a -oor

0udge of c,aracter. =,en Cordelia refuses to -la$ along wit, t,is a#surd game( Lear

flies into a rage and we see t,at ,e ,as a terri#le tem-er. >a&ing initiall$ said t,at

Cordelia was ,is ''&o% (lthough the last$ not least)'' ,e now c,anges ,is mind and

calls ,er ''a stranger to #% heart an #e''.

't seems t,at Lear is more interested in t,e a--earance t,an realit$. >e wants to #etreated as a *ing wit,out ,a&ing an$ of t,e res-onsi#ilities of a *ing and ,e wants ,is

daug,ters to -u#licl$ declare t,eir lo&e for ,im.

=,en Kent tries to s-ea* sense to Lear( t,e *ing again s,ows t,at ,e ,as a fier$

tem-er. >e warns Kent not to ''co#e !et*een the ragon an his *rath''. Lear

refuses to listen to an$one w,o does not tell ,im w,at ,e wants to ,ear( e&en w,en

t,e$ are clearl$ s-ea*ing from t,e #est of moti&es. %$ com-aring ,imself to a

dragon( Lear also s,ows us t,at ,e ,as a &er$ ,ig, o-inion of ,imself and sees,imself as a figure to #e feared and res-ected.

't is o#&ious #$ t,e end of t,e first scene t,at Lear is im-ulsi&e and acts wit,out

t,in*ing t,ings t,roug,. >e #anis,es Kent and disowns Cordelia( e&en t,oug, t,e$

are( and alwa$s ,a&e #een( com-letel$ lo$al to ,im. >is -oor 0udgement ,as led ,im

to -unis, t,e lo$al Cordelia and Kent and reward t,e dis,onest Goneril and

Regan. >e also s,ows a &indicti&e s-irit in ,is disowning of Cordelia and ,is




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#anis,ment of Kent. 't is not enoug, for ,im to #anis, #ot, from ,is sig,t ,e also

t,reatens Kent wit, deat, and tries to tal* Cordelia!s suitors out of marr$ing ,er(

claiming t,at s,e is not wort, t,eir attention. nl$ t,e King of @rance remains

unmo&ed #$ ,is denunciation of Cordelia and ,e ,a--il$ ta*es ,er as ,is wife.

Lear also seems to #e a little nai&e lac*ing understanding or so-,istication almost

c,ildli*e in t,is o-ening scene. Aoes ,e reall$ #elie&e t,at ,e can se-arate t,e

-ersonal and t,e -oliticalB >e a#dicates all res-onsi#ilit$ for t,e *ingdom #ut seems

to t,in* ,e can *ee- all t,e tra--ings of *ings,i-. 't mig,t #e argued t,at ,is -lan to

di&ide t,e *ingdom #etween ,is daug,ters now so t,at ''"uture stri"e #a% !e

pre+ente no*'' is intended to #e in t,e #est interests of t,e *ingdom( #ut it is

clearl$ a flawed -lan( and t,e wa$ in w,ic, Lear -lans to gi&e t,e largest and #est

-ortion to t,e daug,ter w,o flatters ,im most adds to our growing con&iction t,at ,eis -er,a-s losing ,is gri- on t,ose +ualities w,ic, once made ,im a great *ing. 6,is

diminution of ,is aut,orit$ and good sense is ,inted at #$ Goneril at t,e end of t,e

first scene w,en s,e sa$s to Regan( '',ou see ho* "ull o" changes his age is-'' ,e

also comments on Lear!s ''poor &ug#ent'' in #anis,ing Cordelia.

6,e most im-ortant t,ing to remem#er from t,is introduction to t,e c,aracter of King

Lear is t,at ,e understands ,imself as -oorl$ as ,e does t,ose around ,im. =e

cannot ,el- #ut agree wit, Regan w,en s,e sa$s t,at ''he hath e+er !ut slenerl%

kno*n hi#sel"''- 8 more self/aware man would realise t,at ,is 0udgement was in

+uestion #ut Lear does not. >e is con&inced t,at ,e is rig,t #ut as t,e tragic actions

of t,e -la$ unfold( Lear learns a #itter lesson and finall$ gains self/*nowledge.

nfortunatel$( t,is *nowledge comes at a &er$ ,ig, -rice.

T.E RETIRE/ KIN0

Lear( w,en ,e ,as retired( seems com-letel$ o#li&ious lac*ing in awareness of t,e

fact t,at ,e now ,as no real -ower. >e still lac*s 0udgement and seems to #elie&e

t,at ,e s,ould #e treated wit, t,e res-ect due a *ing. =e see t,at Lear is arrogant and

t,at ,e is in for a rude awa*ening at t,e ,ands of ,is daug,ters. >e carries on as if ,e

were *ing and is constantl$ s,oc*ed and distressed w,en ,e is not treated wit, t,e

res-ect ,e feels is ,is due. >e demands t,at ,is dinner #e #roug,t to ,im t,e moment

,e arri&es at Goneril and 8l#an$!s -alaceD ''Let #e not sta% a &ot "or inner) go get

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it rea%-'' >e rages at swald for treating ,im as if ,e were sim-l$ Goneril!s fat,er

and not t,e *ingD '',ou *horeson og1 %ou sla+e1 %ou cur1'' =e see t,at Lear!s

tem-er is ne&er far from t,e surface and ,is arrogance is still #linding ,im from t,e

fact t,at ,e ,as gi&en awa$ all ,is -ower and is no longer a man of an$ real

im-ortance in t,e *ingdom. =,en Goneril finall$ arri&es and s-ea*s to ,im a#outt,e conduct of ,is *nig,ts( Lear again flies into a fur$( calling down terri#le curses on

,er. >e #egins to mourn ,is foll$ in sending Cordelia awa$ and wis,es t,at Goneril

mig,t #e #arren or t,at if s,e did ,a&e a c,ild( it would cause ,er miser$ and ma*e

,er realise ''.o* sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To ha+e a thankless chil1''

Lear!s arrogance and +uic* tem-er are in e&idence t,roug,out 8cts 1 and 2 and t,e

onl$ good decision ,e ma*es to ,ire t,e disguised Kent is made im-ulsi&el$ tooD

''i" I like thee no *orse a"ter inner I *ill not part "ro# the %et-''

et( e&en in t,e midst of all of t,is ras, #e,a&iour( Lear is slowl$ #eginning to realise

t,at ,e is no longer -owerful and t,at ,e no longer commands t,e res-ect ,e once

did. 't is difficult for ,im to se-arate w,at ,e #elie&ed was a God/gi&en rig,t to

res-ect and ,onour wit, t,e realit$( w,ic, is t,at suc, res-ect went wit, t,e *ings,i-(

not wit, t,e man ,imself. >e is #ecoming aware t,at ,is 0udgement was -oor w,en

,e #anis,ed CordeliaD ''2oe$ that too late repents''- nl$ now does ,e #egin to

see t,at t,e lo&e test was foolis, and ,e acted unwisel$D ''Oh Lear$ Lear$ Lear1

3eat at this gate$ that let th% "oll% in (n th% ear &uge#ent out1''

>owe&er( Lear still ,as a long wa$ to go #efore ,e reac,es full self/*nowledge. >e

still #elie&es( e&en w,en Goneril treats ,im #adl$( t,at ,e can go to Regan and #e

welcomed -ro-erl$. ''I ha+e another aughter$ 2ho$ I a# sure$ is kin an

co#"orta!le-'' Lear!s -ride and anger are still dri&ing ,im( #ut ,e is #ecoming less

and less t,e dragon we met in t,e first scene. >e is #eginning to see t,at ,e ,as not

t,e -ower to do an$t,ing a#out t,e insults ,e recei&es and t,at ,is t,reats are

meaningless. =,en ,e &isits Gloucester!s castle following Regan t,ere( ,e is

initiall$ furious t,at s,e does not come to meet ,im( #ut soon *neels at ,er feet(

#egging ,er to allow ,im and ,is one ,undred *nig,ts to sta$ wit, ,er. >e is

#ecoming a ,el-less old man and fears t,at ,e mig,t lose ,is mind. 6,is feeling is

eFacer#ated w,en ,e sees Goneril arri&e at t,e castle. ,e is warml$ greeted #$

Regan and t,e$ 0oin forces( telling ,im t,at ,e cannot ,a&e an$ of ,is *nig,ts( as ,e

does not need t,em. Lear #egins to fear t,at ,e is losing ,is mind. 'f ,e is not t,e

*ing( t,en w,o is ,eB =,en ,e was at Goneril!s -alace( ,e ,ad #egun to fear t,at ,e




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was losing ,is identit$D

Does any here know me? This is not Lear:

Does Lear walk thus? Speak thus?

...Who is it that can tell me who I am?

n lea&ing Goneril!s ,ouse( ,e struggles to ,old onto ,is sanit$D ''Oh let #e not !e

#a$ not #a$ s*eet hea+en1''

"ow( faced wit, t,e final indignit$ of ,a&ing all ,is *nig,ts ta*en awa$ #$ ,is

daug,ters( Lear sees t,at ,e is ''a poor ol #an (s "ull o" grie" as age) *retche

in !oth1''

T.E STORM SCENE

6,is is t,e most famous scene in !!King Lear!!. 'n it( we see t,at Lear( dri&en out into

t,e nig,t #$ t,e refusal of ,is daug,ters to ac+uiesce to ,is re+uest to *ee- ,is

*nig,ts( is calling on t,e storm to destro$ t,e entire world. >e wants t,e world to #e

flattened( flooded and struc* #$ lig,tning. >e calls u-on t,e winds to rage and #low.

't is ,is wis, t,at t,e world #e so de&astated #$ t,is storm t,at t,ere will #e no future

and no life. >e ,o-es t,at man*ind will #e wi-ed out. Lear!s fur$ and des-air are

e&ident in t,is scene.

Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! ae! Blow!

"our cataracts and hurricanoes, spout

Till you ha#e drench$d our steeples, drowned the cocks!

"ou sulph$rous and thouht%e&ecutin 'ires,

(aunt%couriers to oak clea#in thunder)olts.

Sine my white head! *nd thou, all shakin thunder,

Strike 'lat the thick rotundity o$ the world

+rack ature$s moulds, all ermens spill at once,

That makes unrate'ul man!

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6,e storm on t,e ,eat, reflects t,e storm t,at is in Lear!s mind and( for a s,ort time(

distracts ,im from ,is sorrow and anger at ,is daug,ters! treatment of ,imD ''This

te#pest *ill not gi+e #e lea+e to poner On things that *oul hurt #e #ore''-

=,ile ,e is out in t,e storm( Lear #egins to #ecome aware of t,e suffering of ot,ers(too. >e worries t,at t,e @ool is cold( and ,e #egins to see t,at ,e is ,uman and t,at

,e is onl$ ''( poor$ in"ir# *eak an espis' ol #an''- @or t,e first time( Lear

sees t,at -ower and wealt, co&er u- t,e fact t,at e&er$one is wea* and ,el-less

underneat,. >e is #eginning to de&elo- a social conscience.

n meeting Poor 6om( Lear em-at,ises wit, ,im( to t,e eFtent t,at ,e too stri-s off

,is clot,es. 't ,as ne&er dawned on Lear #efore now to t,in* a#out ,is su#0ects t,e

ordinar$ -eo-le in ,is *ingdom #ut as ,e does( ,e #egins to feel as,amed t,at ,ene&er did an$t,ing to ,el- t,em w,en ,e was *ing.

-! I ha#e ta$en

Too little care o' this. Take physic, pomp

/&pose thysel' to 'eel what wretches 'eel,

That thou mayst shake the super'lu& to them,

*nd show the hea#ens more 0ust.

Lear is also #eginning to descend into madness in t,is scene. >e is consumed wit,

fur$ and o#sesses a#out ,is daug,ters! ill/treatment of ,im. >e is aware t,at ,e is

losing ,is gri- on sanit$D ''M% *its !egin to turn''- 6,e surest sign t,at t,e once/

-roud *ing is #ecoming insane is t,e moc*/trial ,e conducts( in w,ic, two -ieces of

furniture -la$ t,e -arts of Goneril and Regan. >e claims t,at t,e @ool( Poor 6om and

Kent will #e t,e 0udges. >owe&er( ,e soon loses control of ,is senses com-letel$(

accusing t,e !0udges! of cons-iring against ,im and #eginning to tal* nonsense.

E&entuall$( ,e colla-ses in a state of eF,austion and mental anguis,.

RE/EMPTION

Lear is trul$ mad w,en ,e is #roug,t to Ao&er to #e wit, Cordelia. >e wanders in

t,e fields outside t,e @renc, cam-( as,amed to face Cordelia. >e is aware t,at ,e ,as

treated ,er #adl$ and( alt,oug, ,e is insane( ,e is now more self/aware t,an ,e e&er

was( in man$ wa$s. >e tal*s nonsense( $et ,e ,as learned muc, a#out ,imself and




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a#out t,ose w,o were once ,is su#0ects. >e *nows now t,at t,ose w,o flattered ,im

w,en ,e was *ing were doing so onl$ #ecause t,e$ *new ,e ,eld all t,e -ower. "ow

,e realises t,at ,e is 0ust a man and t,at ,e( li*e so man$ ot,ers in -ower( ,ad failed

to realise t,at #e,ind all t,e glamour of t,eir li&es la$ selfis,ness and deceit.

=,en Lear finall$ meets Cordelia( ,e is o&ercome and #elie&es ,e is deadD

"ou do me wron to take me out o$ the ra#e

Thou art a soul in )liss )ut I am )ound

1pon a wheel o' 'ire

>um#l$( Lear #egs for ,er forgi&eness and sa$s t,at e&en if s,e wants to gi&e ,im

-oison( ,e will ta*e it. >e feels t,at ,e deser&es not,ing #etter and ac*nowledgest,at w,ate&er s,e ma$ do to ,im( ,e deser&es. Goneril and Regan treated ,im #adl$(

alt,oug, t,e$ ,ad no reason to do so. Cordelia( claims t,e re-entant Lear( cannot

lo&e ,im.

>is delig,t at meeting Cordelia again ma*es Lear dismiss t,e im-ortance of ,er arm$

losing t,e #attle( as ,e imagines s,e and ,e will #e ,a--$ in -rison.

T.E /E(T. OF LE(R

'n t,e final( tragic scene( Lear enters wit, t,e #od$ of Cordelia in ,is arms. >e is

utterl$ grief/stric*en and feels t,at ,is cries of des-air will crac* t,e &aults of ,ea&en.

Lear cannot #ring ,imself to full$ acce-t t,at Cordelia is dead. >e clings to ,o-e(

calling for a mirrorD ''I" that her !reath *ill #ist or stain the stone$ 2h% then

she li+es''-

6,ere is an ec,o of t,e former *ing!s -ower w,en we learn t,at ,e *illed t,e man

w,o ,anged Cordelia a fact w,ic, is #orne out #$ a ca-tain w,o saw ,im do so.

>owe&er( ,is grief is too muc, for ,im to #ear and ,e dies( a #ro*en man.

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Corelia

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Cordelia is an ,onest( lo&ing( &irtuous daug,ter. 't mig,t #e argued t,at s,e ta*es ,er,onest$ too far during t,e lo&e test and is a little tactless w,en s,e refuses to flatter

Lear. >owe&er( w,en we see later on in t,e -la$ ,ow untrut,ful Goneril and Regan!s

-rofessions of lo&e were( we s$m-at,ise wit, Cordelia and realise t,at s,e re-resents

all t,at is good and decent. 6,e fault is not Cordelia!s for refusing to -la$ along wit,

t,is a#surd game( #ut is instead Lear!s for insisting on it in t,e first -lace. Cordelia

,erself -oints out t,at if ,er sisters ,a&e( as t,e$ claim( gi&en Lear all t,eir lo&e( t,en

t,e$ must ,a&e none left for t,eir ,us#ands. ,e sa$s s,e does lo&e ,er fat,er( as a

daug,ter s,ould( #ut t,at is all s,e is willing to sa$. =,en Lear accuses ,er of #eing

!'So %oung$ an so untener''( s,e res-onds #$ sa$ing t,at s,e is !'So %oung$ #%

lor$ an true-'!

Auring t,e lo&e test( we see Cordelia!s -ride and courage( as well as ,er ,onest$. ,e

stands firm against ,er fat,er!s growing anger and is not intimidated #$ ,is wrat,.

COR/ELI( /ISO2NE/

Cordelia!s #e,a&iour after s,e is disowned #$ Lear does ,er great credit. ,e

maintains ,er dignit$( -ride and com-osure. ,e is *een to let @rance *now t,at s,e

,as done not,ing wrong w,en ,e is told t,at s,e ,as #een disowned #$ ,er fat,er.

,e scorns %urgund$ for not wanting to marr$ ,er wit,out ,er dowr$D ''Since that

respects o" "ortune are his lo+e I shall not !e his *i"e''-

8lt,oug, Cordelia ,as to lea&e England( s,e ne&ert,eless -lans to do w,ate&er s,ecan to -rotect Lear from Goneril and Regan( w,om s,e sus-ects of ,ar#ouring e&il

t,oug,ts. ''I kno* *hat %ou are) (n like a sister a# #ost loath to call ,our

"aults as the% are na#'''-

Cordelia!s lo$alt$ and lo&e for ,er fat,er are s,own in t,e fact t,at s,e #egins to

arrange to come to ,is aid almost t,e moment s,e lea&es t,e court. =,en Kent is

loc*ed in t,e stoc*s( ,e tells us of a letter from Cordelia in w,ic, s,e sa$s t,at s,e




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*nows of ,is attem-ts to ,el- Lear( and e&en #efore t,e storm scene( we learn from

Gloucester t,at t,e @renc, are in Ao&er( read$ to stri*e. Cordelia!s intelligence and

resourcefulness are o#&ious in t,e wa$ s,e foresees w,at mig,t ,a--en #etween ,er

fat,er and ,er sisters( and in t,e wa$ s,e mars,alls t,e @renc, arm$ to come to Lear!s

defence. 't is im-ortant to note t,at Cordelia ma*es it -lain t,at s,e is not #ringing,er arm$ to England for an$ sort of -olitical gain( #ut onl$ to ,el- ,er fat,er.

LE(R (N/ COR/ELI( RE4NITE/

Cordelia!s lo&e for ,er fat,er and ,er forgi&eness of ,is treatment of ,er are clearl$

s,own w,en t,e -air meet again at t,e @renc, cam- at Ao&er. Lear tries to *neel

#efore ,er to #eg ,er forgi&eness #ut s,e does not want ,is a-ologiesD !!"o( sir( $ou

must not *neel.!! ,e lo&es ,er fat,er regardless of ,is actions and #ears ,im no ill/will for disowning ,er and fa&ouring ,er treac,erous sisters o&er ,er. =,en Lear

sa$s t,at Cordelia ,as good reason to treat ,im #adl$ if s,e wants to( s,e -rotests t,at

s,e ,as ''No cause$ no cause''-

=,en ,er arm$ is defeated in #attle #$ t,e Englis,( it is o#&ious to Cordelia t,at t,e

end is near. >er silence w,en Lear tal*s ,a--il$ a#out ,ow t,e$ will #e toget,er in

-rison !!li*e #irds i! t,! cage!! tells us t,at s,e is more t,an li*el$ aware of t,e end in

store for ,er. Goneril and Regan would #e unli*el$ to let ,er li&e. >owe&er(

Cordelia faces ,er fate #ra&el$( onl$ lamenting t,at s,e could not ,el- ,er fat,er

moreD ''For thee$ oppresse king$ a# I cast o*n''- >er sorrow is onl$ for Lear(

s,owing once again t,e selfless nature of ,er lo&e.




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0oneril

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Goneril is( li*e ,er $ounger sister Regan( t,e em#odiment of e&il in !!King Lear!!. ,e

is am#itions and ,$-ocritical( ,a--il$ flattering ,er fat,er outrageousl$ in t,e lo&e

test #ecause s,e is cunning enoug, to see t,at t,is is w,at ,e wants. nli*e Cordelia(

w,o refuses to lie to satisf$ ,er fat,er!s &anit$( Goneril is ,a--$ to lieD

Sir, I lo#e you more than words can wield the matter

Dearer than eye%siht, space, and li)erty

Beyond what can )e #alued, rich or rare

o less than li'e, with race, health, )eauty, honour

8s soon as t,e lo&e test is o&er and Lear ,as de-arted( Goneril s,ows ,er true nature(

-lotting wit, Regan to lessen t,e little -ower t,eir fat,er ,as left. 'n t,is o-ening

scene( we see Goneril mani-ulate #ot, Lear and Regan. 't is s,e w,o initiates t,e

con&ersation a#out treating Lear ,ars,l$ and s,e urges Regan not to t,in* a#out it to

long #ut to act ''in the heat-''

4NLO5IN0 /(40.TER (N/ 4NLO5IN0 2IFE

=,en Lear &isits Goneril( s,e turns on ,im immediatel$. >er language is cold and

cruel and in star* contrast to t,e flatter$ and -rofessions of lo&e s,e uttered during

t,e lo&e test. ,e encourages ,er ser&ants to treat Lear rudel$D !!-ut on w,at wear$

negligence $ou -lease!! and s,e constantl$ refers to ,is old age in a scornful manner.

't seems t,at s,e( li*e Edmund( #elie&es t,at t,e $oung s,ould rule and t,e old s,ould

ste- aside.

Lear!s *nig,ts ,a&e noticed Goneril!s coldness to ,er fat,er and t,e @ool sa$s sadl$

t,at Lear was #etter off w,en ,e did not ,a&e to worr$ a#out Goneril!s frowns or ,er

lac* of *indness. 't is o#&ious to e&er$#od$ t,at Goneril is not going to treat ,er

fat,er wit, t,e res-ect( lo&e and ,onour s,e claimed to ,old ,im in w,en s,e flattered

,im during t,e lo&e test. ,e ,as no need to -retend to lo&e Lear an$ more. 'nstead(

s,e seems to &iew ,im as a -articularl$ trou#lesome c,ild( w,o must #e *e-t in ,is




14/25

-lace.

Goneril is no *inder to ,er ,us#and t,an s,e is to ,er fat,er. ,e loo*s down on

8l#an$ for ,is wea*ness and o#&iousl$ des-ises w,at s,e calls ,is ''#ilk%

gentleness''-

R4LE/ 3, CR4ELT,$ (M3ITION (N/ L4ST

't is w,en Goneril and Regan 0oin forces at Gloucester!s castle t,at we see t,e full

eFtent of t,eir cruelt$. Goneril is ,a--$ to allow Lear to s-end t,e nig,t out on t,e

,eat, in t,e storm( alt,oug, t,is ma$ well lead to ,is deat,. =e see now t,at s,e is

ca-a#le of ta*ing someone!s life and t,at s,e ,as no com-assion for ,er aged fat,er.

6,e true eFtent of Goneril!s sa&ager$ #ecomes ,orrif$ingl$ e&ident w,en Gloucester

is arrested for treason. Regan calls for Gloucester to #e ,anged immediatel$( #ut

Goneril wants ,im to #e torturedD ''Pluck out his e%es''-

Goneril!s -assion for Edmund ultimatel$ leads to ,er downfall. ,e #ecomes

o#sessed wit, ,im and #egins to turn on Regan( sus-ecting ,er of ,ar#ouring designs

on Edmund. 't is ironic t,at Goneril( w,o ,a--il$ lied to ,er fat,er and claimed to

lo&e ,im w,en s,e did not( s,ould now #ecome a &ictim of t,e l$ing( mani-ulati&e

Edmund. 6,e letter w,ic, Edgar disco&ers on swald!s #od$ is from Goneril( as*ing

Edmund to *ill ,er ,us#and so t,at t,e$ ma$ #e toget,er. 6,ere seems to #e no limit

to Goneril!s e&il. >er 0ealous$ of Regan #ecomes so intense t,at s,e -oisons ,er

sister and is griml$ -leased to see t,e effects. ,e is not onl$ an unnatural daug,ter(

#ut an unnatural sister( w,o can stand callousl$ #$ and watc, Regan writ,e in agon$.

Li*e ,er fat,er( Goneril is a -oor 0udge of c,aracter( for all t,at s,e is mani-ulati&e

and cunning. ,e trusts Edmund and s,e underestimates ,er ,us#and. 'n t,e end( ,er

world colla-ses w,en Edmund is fatall$ wounded in t,e fig,t wit, Edgar( and 8l#an$

stands u- to ,er( confronting ,er wit, ,er letter to EdmundD ''Shut %our #outh$

a#e$ Or *ith this paper shall I stop it-''

Goneril!s mani-ulation and attem-ts to dominate 8l#an$ fail ,er( finall$( and s,e

realises t,at s,e ,as not,ing left to li&e for. ,e ta*es ,er own life( confessing #efore

s,e does so t,at s,e -oisoned Regan.

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15/25

Regan

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Li*e Goneril( Regan is +uic* to flatter ,er fat,er during t,e lo&e test. >a&ing ,eard

,er sister!s -rofessions of lo&e( Regan tries to e+ual( if not outdo( Goneril!s

outrageousl$ eFaggerated words of lo$alt$ and adoration. ,e sa$s t,at s,e is in

agreement wit, e&er$t,ing ,er sister sa$s #ut goes furt,er( sa$ing( ''In #% true

heart I "in she na#es #% +er% ee o" lo+e) Onl% she co#es too short''-

Regan!s claim t,at s,e is ''an ene#% to all other &o%s'' seems ridiculous( es-eciall$

since s,e is married / a fact w,ic, Cordelia -oints out. ,e ,as ,ad t,e ad&antage( of

course( of seeing Lear!s -leased reaction to Goneril!s declaration of lo&e( so s,e can

reasona#l$ assume t,at ,e will #e fooled #$ ,er s,amelessl$ mani-ulati&e s-eec, too.

LE/ 3, 0ONERIL 34T F4LL, .ER EQ4(L IN E5IL

't is Goneril w,o first suggests to Regan t,at t,e$ must act toget,er against t,eir

fat,er and w,en Regan sa$s s,e will ''"urther think on't'!( Goneril urges ,er to act

+uic*l$. Goneril is clearl$ t,e dominant sister and s,e mani-ulates Regan as s,emani-ulates ,er fat,er.

=,en s,e ,ears of w,at ,as ,a--ened at Goneril!s -alace( Regan decides to s,ow ,er

disres-ect for Lear #$ lea&ing ,er -alace #efore ,e arri&es. Per,a-s s,e is also a little

less willing t,an Goneril to face ,er fat,er and tell ,im ,e and ,is one ,undred

*nig,ts are not welcome. Goneril seems to #e more t,e instigator of deeds t,an

Regan is( t,oug, Regan follows ,er lead ,a--il$ enoug,. 6,ere is a difference too( in

t,e wa$ Regan and Goneril treat Lear w,en t,e$ meet ,im. Goneril tac*les ,imimmediatel$ a#out ,is *nig,t!s #e,a&iour( w,ile Regan seems to #e more di-lomatic(

at least initiall$. ,e sa$s s,e is glad to see Lear and w,ile s,e defends ,er sister!s

action( s,e is not as o-enl$ confrontational as Goneril. >owe&er( s,e is e+uall$

insulting and ,umiliates Lear #$ -lacing Kent in t,e stoc*s and #$ referring

constantl$ to Lear!s age. ''O$ sir$ %ou are ol1 Nature in %ou stans on the +er%

+erge O" her con"ine-'' ,e #egs ,im to return to Goneril( -ossi#l$ so ,er older

sister can deal wit, ,im.




16/25

=,en Goneril arri&es at Gloucester!s castle( t,e sisters 0oin forces against Lear and

from t,is moment on( t,eir e&il *nows no #ounds. 6,e -resence of t,e ot,er seems to

encourage eac, to e&en greater acts of cruelt$ and sa&ager$.

Regan ma$ not initiate muc, of t,e action( #ut s,e is more t,an ,a--$ to agree wit,an$ act of cruelt$( and indeed( to #etter it. Cornwall orders Kent loc*ed in t,e stoc*s

until noon( #ut Regan wants ,im to #e *e-t t,ere for longerD ''Till night$ #% lor$

an all night too-'' Goneril wants Lear to reduce t,e num#er of ,is *nig,ts to fift$(

#ut Regan -ro-oses t,at it #e cut to twent$/fi&e. =,en Cornwall gouges out one of

Gloucester!s e$es( Regan encourages ,im to do t,e same to t,e ot,er. ,e is -resent

for t,e torture of Gloucester and seems unmo&ed #$ t,e &iolence. ,e is also more

t,an willing to inflict deat, or in0ur$ ,erself( as we see w,en s,e sta#s and *ills t,e

ser&ant w,o attac*s Cornwall. ,e re0oices in -s$c,ological cruelt$ too( taunting t,eca-tured Gloucester and delig,ting in telling ,im t,at it was Edmund w,o #etra$ed

,im. ,e s,ows no merc$ for t,e #linded Gloucester( t,rowing ,im out of t,e castle

and announcing t,at ,e can ''s#ell his *a% to /o+er''-

R4LE/ 3, CR4ELT,$ (M3ITION (N/ L4ST

Li*e ,er sister( Regan #ecomes o#sessed #$ Edmund and #egins to #e ruled #$ ,er

0ealous$ and ,er desire. ,e e&en tells swald to warn Goneril against flirting wit,

Edmund. ,e is des-erate to *now w,at is in t,e letter swald is carr$ing from

Goneril to Edmund( and ,er -aranoia starts to ta*e o&er all ,er t,oug,ts. Regan as*s

Edmund if ,e ,as sle-t wit, Goneril( so anFious is s,e to ensure t,at ,e is onl$ ,ers.

=,en Edmund!s forces win t,e #attle against t,e @renc,( t,e -ossessi&e( 0ealous

Regan is +uic* to call Edmund ,er ''lor an #aster''- E&en as s,e sa$s t,is( s,e

#egins to feel ill and is ta*en awa$ to ,er tent. ,e ,as #een -oisoned #$ Goneril and

s,e dies soon afterwards( e&il to t,e end.

%ot, Goneril and Regan get t,eir 0ust desserts and t,eir cruelt$ and deceit lead

ultimatel$ to t,eir downfall and deat,.

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17/25

0loucester

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

ur first im-ression of Gloucester is t,at ,e is a foolis,( insensiti&e( su-erstitious

man. >e introduces ,is son Edmund to Kent( #ut 0o*es crudel$ a#out Edmund!s

illegitimac$ and t,e fact t,at t,ere was ''goo sport at his #aking''. >e a--ears to

find Edmund a #it of an em#arrassment( alt,oug, ,e does sa$ t,at ,e lo&es ,im.

Gloucester!s foolis,ness and -oor 0udgement are s,own w,en ,e immediatel$

#elie&es Edmund!s -re-osterous stor$ a#out Edgar wanting to *ill ,is fat,er. Li*e

Lear( Gloucester is ras, and im-ulsi&e and instantl$ curses Edgar wit,out e&en tr$ing

to ,ear ,is side of t,e stor$.

>is #elief in astrolog$ reinforces our im-ression of Gloucester as a gulli#le( slig,tl$

sill$ man.

POSITI5E TR(ITS

Gloucester ,as man$ -ositi&e +ualtities( ,owe&er. >e is a lo$al su#0ect and s,owsLear great res-ect( e&en w,en Lear ,as gi&en awa$ ,is *ingdom and is no longer

-owerful. Gloucester does not curr$ fa&our wit, t,ose in -ower( #ut +uestions

Cornwall!s decision to -lace Kent in t,e stoc*s( sa$ing t,at ''the king #ust take it

ill''. >is courtes$ and decenc$ are s,own w,en ,e a-ologises to t,e stoc*ed Kent(

e&en t,oug, ,e #elie&es ,im to #e no more t,an a ser&ant of Lear!s. 't mig,t #e

argued t,at ,e s,ould ,a&e done more to ,el- Lear( #ut we must s$m-at,ise wit, ,is

lac* of -ower( e&en in ,is own castle. =,en ,e does ,el- Lear( ,e -a$s dearl$ for it.

Gloucester!s decision to offer comfort to Lear as t,e maddened *ing roams a#out t,e

moors is a #ra&e one. >e *nows ,e is ris*ing ,is own life #$ doing t,is #ut as ,e

tells Edmund( ''I" I ie "or it$ as no less is threatene #e$ the king #% ol #aster

#ust !e relie+e-'' Gloucester( under -ressure( re&eals a ,eroic side to ,is nature

and we see t,at ,e is far more t,an t,e foolis,/seeming man we met at t,e start of t,e

-la$.




18/25

ur admiration for Gloucester dee-ens w,en we see ,ow no#l$ ,e stands u- to ,is

ca-tors! treatment of ,im. ''I a# tie to the stake an I #ust stan the course''-

>e defies Regan and Cornwall( sa$ing t,at ,e is glad ,e ,as ,el-ed Lear to esca-e

t,eir clutc,es.

Regan!s gloating re&elation t,at it was Edmund w,o #etra$ed Gloucester mig,t #e

eF-ected to cause t,e old man to colla-se in self/-it$ and distress( #ut instead ,is first

t,oug,ts are of Edgar and ,e #itterl$ regrets t,e wa$ ,e treated ,is son. Gloucester is

-,$sicall$ #linded( #ut ,e sees t,e trut, for t,e first time. >e -ra$s t,at t,e gods

mig,t forgi&e ,im and ,el- Edgar.

=andering on t,e ,eat,( Gloucester is filled wit, des-air. >e tries to ta*e ,is own

life( so -lunged in sorrow is ,e. >owe&er( w,en Edgar tric*s ,im into #elie&ing t,at,e ,as 0um-ed from a ,ig, cliff #ut ,as #een s-ared #$ t,e gods( Gloucester acce-ts

,is fate.

Gloucester!s meeting wit, Lear in Ao&er is significant in t,at we see ,ow muc, #ot,

men ,a&e c,anged and ,ow muc, more t,e$ understand of ,uman nature( t,oug,

t,e$ are #roug,t as low as t,e$ could -ossi#l$ #e. 6,e$ ,a&e a greater degree of self/

*nowledge t,an t,e$ e&er ,ad w,en t,e$ were -owerful and -ros-erous.

et( des-ite all of Edgar!s efforts to ,el- ,is fat,er( Gloucester cannot #e roused from

,is des-air on ,earing t,at Lear and Cordelia are in -rison. =e learn from Edgar t,at

Gloucester died of a #ro*en ,eart. 6,e one note of consolation in ,is deat, is t,e fact

t,at ,e was reconciled wit, Edgar at last( and t,at ,e died *nowing Edgar ,ad

forgi&en ,im.




19/25

E#un

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

ur initial im-ression of Edmund is t,at ,e is treated unfairl$ #$ ,is fat,er. >e ,as tostand #$ w,ile Gloucester ma*es crude 0o*es a#out ,is mot,er and calls ,im al#eit

wit, affection a ''*horeson 6*ho7 #ust !e ackno*lege-'' Gloucester

introduces ,im to Kent #ut comments t,at Edmund ,as #een awa$ from ,ome for

nine $ears and will #e sent awa$ again.

't is difficult( after t,is introduction( not to feel s$m-at,$ for Edmund w,en ,e

deli&ers ,is solilo+u$ in w,ic, ,e #itterl$ comments on t,e insults t,at are ,ea-ed

u-on ,im for ,is illegitimac$( w,ic, is in no wa$ ,is fault. >e ,as good reason to #e

angr$ t,at ,e( along wit, ot,er illegitimate c,ildren( is called !!#ase!!. >is re-etition

of t,e words ''!ase'' and ''!astar'' s,ow us ,ow dee-l$ ,e feels a#out ,is social

-osition. >is cr$( !'No*$ gos$ stan up "or !astars1'' is a ,eartfelt one and it is

,ard not to s$m-at,ise wit, someone w,ose fat,er is em#arrassed #$ ,im and ,as

denied ,im an$ sort of in,eritance.

>owe&er( e&en t,oug, we ma$ s$m-at,ise wit, Edmund!s -lig,t( ,is -lottingD

''Legiti#ate Egar$ I #ust ha+e %our lan''$ ma*es it clear t,at t,is is not someone

to #e trusted.

Edmund is a mani-ulati&e( amoral( cunning( unscru-ulous( cold/,earted egoist. 'nt,is( ,e resem#les Goneril and Regan. et( unli*e t,em( ,e garners a little of our

s$m-at,$ and ma$#e e&en some grudging res-ect. 't is wort, noting t,at

,a*es-eare in&ests man$ of ,is e&il c,aracters wit, -ositi&e features. Edmund is

cle&er( ,andsome( resourceful and &er#all$ agile. et( as so often t,e case in !!King

Lear!!( a--earance is dece-ti&e. 6,e realit$ is t,at Edmund is utterl$ rut,less and

onl$ interested in furt,ering ,is own ends.

OPPORT4NIST

Edmund( unli*e ,is fat,er( is a good 0udge of c,aracter. nli*e ,is fat,er( ,owe&er(

,e uses an$ *nowledge or insig,t ,e gains to ser&e ,is own selfis, -ur-oses.

=,ene&er Edmund sees an o--ortunit$( ,e sei?es it. =,en Regan lin*s Edgar to

Lear!s unrul$ *nig,ts( Edmund is +uic* to agree t,at Edgar was indeed !'o" that

consort-'' 'ronicall$( Cornwall is so im-ressed #$ Edmund!s seeming lo$alt$ to ,is

fat,er t,at ,e ta*es ,im into ,is ser&ice.

Edmund is well aware t,at #ot, Goneril and Regan desire ,im( #ut ,e ,as no interest

in eit,er of t,em. >e en0o$s stringing t,em along and #eing deli#eratel$ &ague and




20/25

formal in ,is answers w,en Goneril eF-resses ,er lo&e for ,imD '',ours in the ranks

o" eath''. >e is well aware t,at #ot, Goneril and Regan are *een to win ,is

affections( and ,e is willing to -la$ along wit, #ot, of t,em until ,e is sure w,ic,

one will #e more useful to ,im. >e ,as no romantic feelings for eit,erD ''2hich o"

the# shall I take8 3oth8 One8 Or neither8'! 6o Edmund( t,e sisters are merel$

-awns in ,is game and ,e does not care for t,em at all.

Edmund!s treatment of ,is fat,er and #rot,er is far crueller t,an ,is to$ing wit,

Goneril and Regan!s affections. >e *nows t,at Gloucester and Edgar!s li&es will #e

at ris* w,en ,e #etra$s t,em( #ut ,e does not care. E&en Cornwall feels t,at w,at ,e

-lans to do to Gloucester mig,t #e too difficult for a son to see( #ut t,ere is no ,int

t,at Edmund ,imself would o#0ect to #eing -resent at ,is fat,er!s torture.

TOO CONFI/ENT

ltimatel$( it is Edgar!s egoism and o&erconfidence w,ic, leads to ,is downfall. >e

doesn!t *now t,at 8l#an$ ,as #een told of t,e -lot on ,is life( and tal*s to ,im as if ,e

were an e+ual. Li*e Goneril( ,e is caug,t unawares #$ 8l#an$!s new/found

dominance and neit,er does ,e realise t,at ,e is facing a formida#le enem$ in t,e

disguised Edgar.

REPENT(NT OR M(NIP4L(TI5E TO T.E EN/8

8t t,e end of t,e -la$( it is not clear w,et,er Edmund!s deat,#ed confession and

re-entance are genuine or 0ust a furt,er eFam-le of ,is mani-ulati&e c,aracter. >e

,as( after all( ,ad numerous c,ances to re-ent during t,e -la$( #ut ,e ,as not ta*en

t,e o--ortunit$ to do so. =,$ s,ould we #elie&e ,im nowB >is egoism is clear as ,e

comments on t,e fact t,at #ot, Goneril and Regan lo&ed ,im. Rig,t u- to t,e end( it

seems t,at t,e -erson ,e t,in*s a#out most is ,imselfD '',et E#un *as !elo+'9

The one the other poison' "or #% sake$ (n a"ter sle* hersel"''-

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21/25

Egar

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

=e learn of Edgar #efore we e&er meet ,im. =e *now t,at ,e is t,e legitimate son oft,e Earl of Gloucester and t,at ,is #rot,er Edmund is -lotting to ta*e ,is -lace as

Gloucester!s lawful successor.

=,en we meet Edgar for t,e first time( ,e a--ears gulli#le and easil$ mani-ulated.

Edgar!s read$ acce-tance of Edmund!s stor$ t,at Gloucester is angr$ wit, ,im ma$

ma*e Edgar seem foolis, and is onl$ -artl$ eF-lained #$ Edmund!s eF-lanation t,at

Edgar is ''a !rother no!le$ 2hose nature is so "ar "ro# oing har#s that he

suspects none''- =e are more inclined to agree wit, Edgar!s ot,er assessment of t,e

reasons for Edgar!s #e,a&iour w,en ,e sneers t,at Edgar -ossesses a ''"oolish

honest%''- 6,is role of nai&e du-e is necessar$( ,owe&er( to ena#le Edmund to carr$

out ,is e&il -lans.

'n man$ wa$s( Edgar is a mout,-iece for ,a*es-eare t,roug,out t,e -la$( rat,er

t,an a full$/de&elo-ed c,aracter. @or eFam-le( w,en ,e disguises ,imself as a

%edlam #eggar( Edgar comments on w,at a terri#le life suc, men lead. 6,roug, ,is

c,aracter( we learn w,at ,a*es-eare t,oug,t of t,e social in0ustices of ,is time. 't

mig,t #e argued t,at Edgar is more im-ortant for w,at ,e re-resents goodness and

selfless lo&e t,an for w,at ,e actuall$ is.

COMP(SSION(TE (N/ SELF:S(CRIFICIN0

Li*e Cordelia( Edgar re-resents selfless lo&e and t,e redeeming -ower of suc, lo&e

and goodness. =,en ,e is outlawed( ,e does not turn against ,is fat,er #ut rat,er

continues to lo&e ,im and( w,en ,e ta*es t,e #linded Gloucester into ,is care( ,e

treats ,im wit, *indness and de&otion. "eit,er ,e nor Cordelia ,a&e t,eir #asic good

natures ruined #$ all t,e ,ards,i-s w,ic, ,a&e #efallen t,em. Edgar continues to act

no#l$ t,roug,out t,e -la$ and does all ,e can to ,el- t,ose in need.

F4T4RE R4LER

Edgar grows in stature as t,e -la$ nears its end. >e mo&es from #eing credulous and

easil$ mani-ulated to #eing a le&el/,eaded( 0ust( com-assionate *ing. >e #rings

Edmund to 0ustice for ,is treatment of Gloucester and is determined to #e t,e one to

-unis, ,imD This s*or$ this ar# an #% !est spirits are !ent To pro+e upon

the% heart$ *hereto I speak$ Thou liest''-

6,e future of t,e countr$ a--ears to #e in safe ,ands wit, Edgar and 8l#an$.




22/25

Stuent's Notes

se t,ese -ages to ma*e an$ additional notes as we stud$ t,e c,aracters. =,en $ou

come to re&ise $our wor*( it is #est to ,a&e it all in one document if -ossi#le.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH


































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king lear character studies

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