King Lear Group
Question:
johnnyutah
Student
Why did Shakespeare insert the conflict between Goneril and Regan over Edmund?
Answers:
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cmcqueeney Teacher
High School - 11th GradePosted by cmcqueeney on Sunday April 6, 2008 at 11:56 AMThe relationship serves to characterize both Goneril and Regan. Neither has the decency, respect, or honor to remain loyal to their own husbands. Also, the relationship highlights a theme of the work, the disorder of family. Goneril and Regan usurp their father's authority and they disrupt the bonds of marriage. Finally, this conflict serves literally in the plot as the cause of death for both Regan and Goneril. Out of jealousy over Edmund, Goneril poisons Regan, and later kills herself after confessing to murdering her sister.