"Cliff Notes - King Lear" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cliff Notes)

two older daughters from each other. But these are not
identical twins. Goneril, whom we get to know first, is the
firstborn and has an imperious manner not unlike Lear's. Highly
intelligent, she has long been aware of her father's moodiness,
and she decides to play it for all it's worth. Although she
conspires initially with her sister Regan to protect their
mutual interests, greed gets the better of her. When it
combines with lust, there's no stopping this powerful force.
When she is confronted with evidence of her treachery by her
husband, she sneers, "Who can arraign me for't?" (V, iii,
160.)

As one of the three principal villains in King Lear, Goneril
does her share to provide a broad picture of evil. And if you
think she is cruel only in her behavior to her father, listen to
her conversations with her husband and her recommendation for
Gloucester's punishment. Finally, of course, who else would
stoop to poison as a means of getting what she wants?

In her fancy clothes, Goneril couldn't care less about degrading
her father with haggling over the size of his retinue. She is
interested only in "looking after number one." And when there is
no longer a way out, when she is utterly trapped in the web she
has spun, only she will have the final say.

^^^^^^^^^^
KING LEAR: REGAN

The cruelty and the evil inherent in Regan are harder to detect
at first. We may be taken in as much as Lear is by her sugary
words. This second daughter is extremely well spoken. She uses
words as a tool and a weapon more craftily than her older
sister.

As the middle child, Regan is less accustomed to initiating; she
usually follows her older sister's lead, particularly if it
serves her self-interest. When Lear turns to her after he has
been turned out by Goneril, we can see why Regan doesn't rush to
welcome him. But the force in her rejection of his request, her
denial of any comfort, and her instant willingness to turn this
old man out into the violent storm remind us that there is evil
just below her sweet exterior.

Regan is more the stiletto to Goneril's sword. Even though
Regan schemes, she is faithful in her marriage. And she kills
only to try to save her husband's life. But she can be vicious
and strong willed. She is capable of terrifying venom when she
unleashes her fury.

If her thirst for power is her primary motivation, her powerful