Regan And Goneril's Treachery Essay

Regan and Goneril’s treachery continues through the rest of the play and is exemplified in many instances. For example, Regan goes to the extent of helping blind the Earl of Gloucester and kill one of his servants in act three scene seven. Thus putting forth the conclusion that through her new supremacy Regan feels as though she is stronger and capable of carrying out tasks she normally would not. It is without hesitancy to see the male characters are not accustomed to the females being in charge, nor do they know how to handle it. During act four scene two, Albany and Goneril are fighting and Albany says, “[b]e-monster not thy feature. [w]ere’t my fitness [t]o let these hands obey my blood, [t]hey are apt enough to dislocate and tear [t]hy flesh and bones; howe’er thou art a fiend, [a] woman’s shape doth

The men are not aware of how to be submissive because it is not in their nature, they only understand their masculinity. Thus causing them to become outraged when the women start behaving atrociously, for they can not physically stop them considering they are still women.

The treachery of these two women would not be complete without a lust that seemingly leads to their demise. In act four scene five, the reader is made aware that Regan intends to marry Edmund now that Cornwall is dead. However, it is also made clear that Goneril has taken an interest in Edmund as well. At the end of the play, act five scene 3, Goneril becomes jealous of Regan and Edmund. Goneril poisons Regan and then stabs herself with a knife. Many see this as a tragic ending for the sisters, but in reality evil is finally destroyed. However, it must be noticed that this ending did not come about until Cordelia returned (Kaiter). Cordelia throughout the entire play never betrayed Lear. As said by Palmer, “side by side with Goneril and Regan - those diabolical creations, who are only woman physically - she shines an angel of light.” This is an extremely accurate statement