Make a comparative study of the three daughters in “King Lear”

Answer

Make a comparative study of the three daughters in King Lear. (2020, 2015) ✪✪✪

“King Lear” (1605–1606) is one of the greatest tragedies of William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The story centers on Lear and his three daughters—Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Their different natures shape the whole tragedy. Goneril and Regan are false and cruel, while Cordelia is honest and kind. Through them, Shakespeare shows the conflict between truth and deceit, love and greed, good and evil. Their contrast makes the drama powerful and emotional. The daughters’ actions decide both Lear’s fate and the moral message of the play.

Goneril – The Voice of Cruel Ambition: Goneril, the eldest daughter, is proud and selfish. In the opening scene, she pretends to love her father most. Lear believes her sweet words. Later, she insults him and says he must reduce the number of his knights. Lear cries, 

“How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is 

To have a thankless child!” 

This line shows her cruelty. Goneril’s ambition and greed destroy her family. She also becomes jealous of her sister for Edmund’s love. Her end is tragic. She kills herself after poisoning Regan.

Regan – The Image of Cold Cruelty: Regan is very similar to Goneril. She also flatters Lear and says, 

“I am made of that self mettle as my sister.” 

Her words prove true. She is hard and pitiless. Together with her husband, she blinds Gloucester and mocks his pain. Regan’s heartless behavior shows her evil nature. She later competes with Goneril for Edmund’s love. Goneril poisons her out of jealousy. Thus, Regan’s false love and cruelty bring her own destruction.

Cordelia – Symbol of Truth and Love: Cordelia, the youngest daughter, is pure, honest, and loyal. When her father asks her to speak of her love, she answers, 

“I love your Majesty

According to my bond, no more nor less.” 

Her words show that she cannot flatter