Goneril

Goneril is a character in William Shakespeare's play King Lear. She is the eldest of Lear's three daughters and one of the play's primary antagonists.

Goneril, along with her sister Regan, is known for her deceitful and cruel nature. At the beginning of the play, she flatters her father with insincere declarations of love in order to inherit a portion of his kingdom. Once she receives her share, she quickly turns against Lear, stripping him of his knights and subjecting him to increasingly harsh treatment.

Goneril is married to the Duke of Albany, a character who is initially portrayed as morally upright but ultimately weakens under Goneril's influence. She engages in an adulterous affair with Edmund, the illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, driven by ambition and a desire for power.

Throughout the play, Goneril's actions demonstrate her ruthlessness and lack of empathy. She schemes against her sister Regan, ultimately poisoning her in a jealous rage over Edmund. Goneril's own death is brought about by suicide, after her treachery is revealed and Edmund is mortally wounded.

Goneril's character serves as a powerful example of the corrupting influence of power and the dangers of unchecked ambition. She is often viewed as a symbol of evil and ingratitude, contrasting sharply with the virtuous Cordelia, Lear's youngest daughter. Her actions drive much of the tragedy in the play and contribute significantly to Lear's descent into madness.