Goneril and Regan in scene one of King Lear

The Characters of King Lear’s two eldest daughters - Goneril and Regan.


Throughout the play of King Lear, Lear’s two eldest daughters Regan and Goneril express themselves differently in various situations regarding the treatment of their father, which is displayed as being more to their own advantage rather than that of others, in particular their father - King Lear.

In act one, scene one, Goneril and Regan appear to be the “good” and dutiful daughters to their father. This is displayed as when Lear proposes that he is to divide his kingdom between the three female heirs, both Goneril and Regan quickly jump at the chance of this opportunity. The reasons relating to their enthusiasm towards their fathers proposition is primarily in regard to the prospect of them being able to attempt to gain as much land and wealth as possible through making an excellent job of telling their father exactly what he wants to hear. They do this through forfeiting the truth, and professing ...