King Lear Act 5 Scene 1


yyAt the British camp near Dover, Regan quizzes Edmund about his relationship with Goneril: ‘Do you not love my sister?’ Even though Edmund says he does not love Goneril, Regan worries that they may have slept together and begs him, ‘Be not familiar with her’.


y yAlbany enters and says that while he is leading his army against the French, he is only doing so because he must repel a foreign invasion force. His sympathies lie with Lear and his supporters. Regan asks why he should feel this way but is interrupted by Goneril, who urges unity.


yyRegan is unwilling to leave Edmund and Goneril alone together and insists that Goneril stay close.


Analysis of Regan’s character and role in Act 5 Scene 1 yyOnce again, the discord and division between Goneril and Regan can be contrasted with the deep love between Lear and Cordelia in the previous scene.


y yThis scene highlights the destructive nature of love compared to the healing power of Cordelia’s love for Lear. The sisters are now openly at odds with one another.


y yThe tension between Regan and Goneril adds to the tension created by the impending battle.


yyRegan’s sole interest now appears to be Edmund. She is consumed with suspicion, jealousy and insecurity and is not reassured by Edmund’s claim that he has not been intimate with Goneril.


Act 5 Scene 3


yyRegan defends Edmund when Albany accuses him of overstepping the mark. She says that Edmund led her forces on her behalf and is Albany’s equal.


y yGoneril challenges Regan and claims Edmund does not need her support to prove he is worthy of high office, but Regan says the royal rights she has bestowed upon him mean that ‘he compeers the best’. The sisters continue to quarrel over Edmund until Regan says that she feels very unwell. She turns to Edmund and, in front of everyone, pledges herself and all she possesses to him: ‘Witness the world that I create thee here / My lord and master.’


y yWhen Albany challenges Regan’s decision, she calls for Edmund to fight Albany to prove his right to marry her. However, Albany arrests Edmund before this can happen and sarcastically tells Regan that Edmund is already engaged to Goneril.


yyRegan, poisoned by Goneril, becomes desperately ill and Albany orders her removal to his tent. Later, as Edmund lies dying after his fight with Edgar, a Gentleman enters with the news that Goneril and Regan are both dead. Goneril killed herself, but not before admitting to poisoning Regan.


Analysis of Regan’s character and role in Act 5 Scene 3


yyRegan and Goneril’s deaths show that there is some justice in the play and that evildoers are punished. Albany is unmoved by their deaths: ‘This judgement of the heavens, that makes us tremble, / Touches us not with pity.’


yyRegan and Goneril’s deaths persuade Edmund that he was loved by both and he is so moved that he admits he ordered the execution of Lear and Cordelia. Although the news comes too late to save the pair, it does give the audience a brief moment of hope.


250 King Lear


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