Archetypal Trope Of Evil Sisters In Shakespeare's King Lear

In his tragedy, King Lear, William Shakespeare introduces two characters who may seem almost immediately familiar. These two women, Goneril and Regan, represent the archetypal trope of “evil sisters” and are the main catalysts for the progression of the tragedy. Throughout the text, both Goneril and Regan reveal an affinity for evil along with a lust for power through the actions they perform and the decisions they make; however, albeit how treacherous their deeds become, their initial intentions and rise to power are justified due to the king’s deteriorating mental health. With justice being served––as well as it can be––by the end of the play, Goneril and Regan are seen as nothing more than villainous, jealous women. So we, as scholars of

In the opening scene of the play, King Lear splits up his kingdom to share amongst his daughters, “Know that we have divided in three our kingdom, and ’tis our fast intent ti shake all cares and business from our age, conferring them on younger strengths,” but before being granted land the three daughters must profess the love they have for their father (1.1.35-38). Of course Goneril and Regan, both of whom willing to do anything for the right to power, share: “Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter,” and “I profess myself an enemy to all other joys which the most precious square of sense professes, and find I am alone felicitate in your dear highness’ love,” respectively (1.1.52-53; 1.1.70-75). When Cordelia refuses to participate in what she considers a shallow profession of untrue love, Lear becomes enraged and gives the land meant for her to her sisters, leaving her without dowry and without family. This sudden shift of emotion is what frightens Goneril and Regan, leading them to question the mental stability of their father. Retrospectively, the shifting of power was not the proper action, however, at the time it was justified in the eyes of the two heirs and their husbands since the king seemed to be deterioration

The motivation behind their actions moving forward in the plot are simply to maintain their new founded authority. Since the both of them have just witnessed Lear banishing two of his favorite subjects, Kent and his own daughter Cordelia, they fear that he may take back his throne at the slightest whim; “You see how full of changes his age is; the observation we have made of it hath been little. He always loved our sister most, and with what poor judgement he hath now cast her off appears too grossly” (1.1.84-87). I must note that I cannot justify the actions of these two sisters in their pursuit of power. However, it is still peculiar to me that these two women are vilified so, whereas a man who is aggressive in his search for power might not