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

Answer

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

“King Lear” (1608) is one of the most famous plays in the history of English literature, written by William Shakespeare (1564-1616). In the play, he portrays three daughters of the titular character: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Each daughter represents different aspects of human nature and responds differently to their father’s demands.

Lear’s Division of the Kingdom: In the play’s opening scene, King Lear decides to divide his kingdom among his daughters based on their professions of love for him. His elder daughter, Goneril, reveals her love for her father in a high-flown language. She says:

“Dearer than eyesight space and liberty; Beyond what can be valu’d, rich or rare; no less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honour.”

Lear’s second daughter expresses the same things as Goneril. While the flattery of Goneril and Regan deceives Lear, the audience sees through their façad and recognizes their insincerity and ulterior motives. Ironically, the king is highly pleased with their flattery of showy love and gives a good portion of his kingdom to each of them. But when Lear’s third daughter, Cordelia, reveals her realistic love for her father, her father becomes dissatisfied with this answer. Cordelia tells her father,

  “I love your majesty. According to my fond, not more nor less,” 

It turns into a verbal irony enraging the king, who disowns her cruelly and divides her portion of the land between her two sisters. This disconnect between Lear’s perception and the audience’s knowledge intensifies the impending tragedy.

Goneril: Goneril is the eldest daughter of King Lear, and she originally appears to be dutiful and obedient. However, she quickly reveals her true nature as cunning and manipulative, especially in her treatment of her father after he divides his kingdom. Goneril’s ambition and hunger for power drive her actions, leading her to deceive Lear and mistreat him once she gains control. She is portrayed as ruthless and lacking in empathy. She betrays familial bonds for personal gain. Ultimately, her desire for power consumes her, and she meets a tragic end. She is poisoned by her sister, Regan.

Regan: Regan is Lear’s second daughter, and like Goneril, she appears to be loyal and obedient. However, as the play progresses, Regan’s true nature emerges as ruthless and ambitious as her sister. She eagerly joins forces with Goneril to seize power and mistreat their father, showing a lack of compassion or filial piety. Regan is depicted as cruel and sadistic, particularly in her treatment of Lear and Gloucester. Like Goneril, Regan’s quest for power leads to her downfall, as Goneril ultimately poisons her in their quest to possess Edmund.

Cordelia: Cordelia, the youngest daughter, is portrayed as the epitome of loyalty, integrity, and genuine love. Unlike her sisters, Cordelia refuses to flatter Lear with empty words during the division of the kingdom. She chooses instead to speak honestly and from the heart. Her refusal to participate in Lear’s game of flattery results in her being disinherited and banished. King Lear says to Cordelia:

“Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again.” 

Despite her mistreatment, Cordelia remains loyal to her father. She returns to Britain with an army to restore him to the throne. Cordelia’s purity of heart and unwavering love stand in stark contrast to the deceit and betrayal of her sisters. Tragically, Cordelia meets her death, but her death serves as a motivation for Lear’s redemption and self-realization. King Lear Says

“Howl, howl, howl, howl! O, you are men of stones!

……………………………………………

She’s dead as earth.—Lend me a looking glass.

If that her breath will mist or stain the stone,

Why, then she lives.”

In termination, we can undoubtedly say that Goneril and Regan represent deception, ambition, and cruelty, while Cordelia embodies honesty, loyalty, and genuine love. Their contrasting characteristics highlight the themes of familial bonds, power, and morality in “King Lear.”