In Act 1, Scene 3 of William Shakespeare's King Lear, Goneril, the eldest daughter of King Lear, expresses her frustration with her father's disruptive presence in her household and devises a plan to assert control over him.

Title of Monologue:

Goneril's Monologue from Act 1, Scene 3 of King Lear

Synopsis:

Goneril laments King Lear's disruptive presence in her household, citing his erratic actions and the unruly conduct of his knights. She instructs her steward, Oswald, to treat Lear with deliberate neglect and to inform him that she is ill upon his return from hunting. Goneril plans to provoke a confrontation, hoping that if Lear is displeased, he will depart to her sister Regan's residence. She reflects on the folly of old age, asserting that elderly individuals, like children, require discipline rather than flattery.

What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?

King Lear has divided his kingdom among his daughters, Goneril and Regan, after disowning his youngest daughter, Cordelia. Lear has taken up residence with Goneril, bringing with him a retinue of one hundred knights. Their disruptive behavior and Lear's own demands have caused tension within Goneril's household, leading her to contemplate measures to curtail his authority.

Original Text:

GONERIL:

By day and night he wrongs me. Every hour
He flashes into one gross crime or other
That sets us all at odds. I’ll not endure it.
His knights grow riotous and himself upbraids us
On every trifle. When he returns from hunting,
I will not speak with him; say I am sick.
If you come slack of former services
You shall do well; the fault of it I’ll answer.
[ Horns within .]

OSWALD

He’s coming, madam, I hear him.

Put on what weary negligence you please,

You and your fellows; I’d have it come to question.
If he distaste it, let him to my sister,
Whose mind and mine I know in that are one,
Q Not to be overruled. Idle old man,
That still would manage those authorities
That he hath given away. Now by my life
Old fools are babes again and must be used
With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abused.
Remember what I have said.


Translation of Text into Contemporary Language:

GONERIL:

He wrongs me day and night; every hour He commits some serious offense That causes conflict among us. I won't tolerate it: His knights are becoming unruly, and he scolds us Over every little thing. When he returns from hunting, I won't speak with him; tell him I'm ill: If you reduce your usual services, You'll be doing right; I'll take the blame for it.

[Horns within]

Show as much negligent tiredness as you like, You and your fellow servants; I want it to be questioned: If he dislikes it, let him go to my sister, Whose mind aligns with mine on this matter, And won't be overruled. Foolish old man, Who still tries to wield the authority That he has given away! Now, by my life, Old fools are like children again; and must be treated With discipline, not flattery, when they're misbehaving. Remember what I've told you.

And give his knights colder looks; Whatever comes of it, no matter; tell your fellows the same: I want to create opportunities, and I will, So that I can speak out: I'll write immediately to my sister, To follow my exact plan. Prepare for dinner.

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words:

  • Upbraids: Scolds or criticizes.

  • Trifle: A matter of little importance.

  • Weary negligence: Deliberate carelessness.

  • Idle: Foolish or lazy.

  • Checks: Rebukes or reprimands.

Breakdown of Text into ‘New Thought’ Paragraphs:

  1. Expressing Frustration with Lear's Behavior:
    He wrongs me day and night; every hour He commits some serious offense That causes conflict among us. I won't tolerate it: His knights are becoming unruly, and he scolds us Over every little thing.
    Goneril articulates her grievances regarding Lear's constant offenses and the disruptive conduct of his knights, leading to household discord.

  2. Planning to Avoid Confrontation:
    When he returns from hunting, I won't speak with him; tell him I'm ill: If you reduce your usual services, You'll be doing right; I'll take the blame for it.
    She decides to feign illness to avoid speaking with Lear and instructs Oswald to diminish their customary attentiveness, assuring him that she will accept responsibility.

  3. Instructing Servants to Show Neglect:
    Show as much negligent tiredness as you like, You and your fellow servants; I want it to be questioned: If he dislikes it, let him go to my sister, Whose mind aligns with mine on this matter, And won't be overruled.
    Goneril orders her servants to display deliberate neglect, aiming to provoke Lear. She suggests that if he is displeased, he can go to her sister Regan, who shares her perspective.

  4. Reflecting on Lear's Authority:
    Foolish old man, Who still tries to wield the authority That he has given away! Now, by my life, Old fools are like children again, and must be treated With discipline, not flattery, when they're misbehaving. Remember what I've told you.
    She criticizes Lear for attempting to exercise power he has relinquished, asserting that the elderly, like children, require discipline rather than flattery when they err.

  5. Further Instructions to Undermine Lear's Retinue:
    And let his knights have colder looks among you; What grows of it, no matter; advise your fellows so. I would breed from hence occasions, and I shall, That I may speak. I’ll write straight to my sister To hold my very course. Prepare for dinner.
    Goneril instructs Oswald to ensure that the knights receive cold treatment from the staff, aiming to create situations that will justify her confronting Lear. She plans to inform her sister Regan of her actions, seeking her support in this course.

Journey Keypoints:

  • Hook: Goneril expresses her frustration with Lear's behavior and the conduct of his knights.

  • Turning Point: She decides to feign illness and instructs her servants to neglect Lear.

  • Climax: Goneril reflects on Lear's relinquished authority and the need to discipline him.

  • Resolution: She plans to inform her sister Regan and prepares to confront Lear.

Famous or Notable Actresses Who Have Played the Role:

  • Diana Rigg: Portrayed Goneril in the 1983 television adaptation of King Lear, delivering a performance noted for its intensity and depth.

  • Emma Thompson: Assumed the role in the 2018 television adaptation, offering a compelling interpretation of Goneril's ambition and ruthlessness.

This monologue reveals Goneril's manipulative nature and her determination to assert control over her father, setting the stage for the familial and political conflicts that unfold throughout the play.