Should we feel bad for Goneril in King Lear? | Top grade character analysis

In this video, I provide a top grade analysis of Goneril from the play 'King Lear', and argue that for all her wickedness, there's room for us to sympathise with this otherwise evil character.
Literary techniques discussed:
- Simile
- Alliteration
- Plosives
- Irony
- Tautology
… and more!
Key quotations in the play covered:
- Act 1 Scene 1, King Lear ("You see how full of changes his age is")
- Act 1 Scene 4, King Lear (“Here do you keep a hundred knights and squires”)
- Act 4 Scene 2, King Lear (“This milky gentleness and course of yours”)
TIMESTAMPS:
01:03 - Reason 1 to sympathise with Goneril: She's deeply insecure as a daughter
03:14 - Reason 2 to sympathise with Goneril: She just wants Lear to get his act together
05:33 - Reason 3 to sympathise with Goneril: She's married to someone she doesn't love or respect
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[@KuR58]

I totally understand Goneril at first when she's complaining about Lear having 100 rowdy knights in her palace running amock. Although Lear had reserved this right of keeping a following with him, and it could be argued that they (Goneril and Regan) were trying to keep him from having anyone to keep him safe with him? But also the argument could be made that Lear was being selfish and a despot in trying to keep all the pomp and reverence and power of a king, and do as he pleases anywhere all the time but without any of the duties? I like how the origin of this conflict is quite balanced and nuanced and one can look at it from many angles, it makes it a lot more complex and believable than just "Goneril and Regan evil, Lear good".

[@JenChan]

Great insights! Always worth taking up the role of the devil's advocate and looking at the situation from the 'opposite' side.

[@markpalmer2988]

Great video

[@JenChan]

Thank you!! 😁

[@danieljf1]

i have my english final exam today. you just saved my life

[@JenChan]

Glad to hear it! Fingers crossed it'll turn out well :)

[@hola-ym9wy]

hiya! i was wondering whether you have any tips for tackling frankenstein as i am really struggling with it.

[@JenChan]

what in particular do you struggle with? I've written a specific analysis on mood and atmosphere in 'Frankenstein' - see if it helps? hyperbolit.com/2020/11/07/whats-the-difference-between-tone-mood-atmosphere/

[@jastinbon1350]

Nice voice

[@LorenRyburn-hx8gi]

GONE 👧 👧 👧 GIRL