Feminist Theory in ‘King Lear’

Goneril and Regan’s Masculinity Actions such as the grasping of the servants sword. (A traditional Jacobean audience would have been horrified, however a modern perspective would see it as a physical grasping of power [the sword being a phallic symbol] and a need to have a status above a servant [similarities can be drawn between them and Blanche DuBois’ desperation when faced with Stanley’s power over her or Hippolita and Vasques within ’Tis pity She’s a Whore]) = lusting after power Their sexuality. Women were perceived as having no sexuality so when they both lust after Edmund it is abhorrent for a Jacobean audience. = “Below the waist they are centaurs, yet women all above” Therefore, modern interpretations of Goneril and Regan are far more likely to be sympathetic and resist the ‘stock character’ status that Shakespeare

Cordelia For the Jacobean audience Cordelia would have been appealing, fulfilling AO4 ‘chastity, fidelity and silence’ From a modern feminist perspective Cordelia is not clearly submissive, nor is she a feminist icon A division exists within the play which separates these 2 feminist interpretations of Cordelia. At the start of the play she resists her father and leaves only to return with an army. However after her return she is far more submissive towards her father.

Overall Both Cordelia and Goneril and Regan were designed as Stock characters by Shakespeare, however feminist interpretations add depth to them.  Their presentation within the 2008 Ian McEwan version of the play is divided by their costume which represents their stock nature. Appeal to the lower split of the globe, not the audience in the Gods.

Quotes And Analysis “Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus! [Takes a sword and runs at him behind]” – This shows how Regan is taking control of the situation as she believes that Cornwall is unable to finish the fight on his own. This shows how Regan has the stronger upper hand over her own husband and shows her to not be a damsel in distress needing her husbands help. “I must change at home, and give the distaff / Into my husband’s hands” - This shows how Regan plans to take control of her household and make Albany take a lower position than her.

Quotes and Analysis “See thyself. Devil! Proper deformity shows not in the fiend so horrid as in women” – Act 4 Scene 2 – Albany : In this quote Albany states that powerful women have the shape of a woman, but the mind of a devil and therefore shoes how women were supposed to behave how society demanded them to and therefore Goneril over steps this boundary.

Quotes and Analysis   “Into her womb convey sterility! Dry up in her organs of increase,/ And from her derogate body never spring /A babe to honour her! If she must teem, create her child of spleen, that it may live/ And be a thwart disnatured torment to her!” 1, 4- Lear: He isn’t saying Goneril’s name and instead is calling her numerous body parts, making it show that women were only used for their bodies and nothing more. And therefore, Lear condemning Goneril and wanting these body parts to go barren, shows his hate for his daughter as he wants to stop her from continuing the actions that society expect of her e.g giving birth, and therefor he is making her seem more unhuman.