# Regan — King Lear character guide

> Regan in King Lear by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Regan Sir, Regan Ingrateful fox, O Regan, Regan Lord Edmund, Regan Sister, Regan Sick, Regan Lady

**First appearance:** 0002-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

Lear's middle daughter, softer in manner than Goneril and just as hard in purpose, who strips her father of his last followers and his dignity.

## Who they are

Regan shares the kingdom with Goneril and Cornwall, and her hospitality proves even narrower than her sister's, whittling Lear's retinue from a hundred to none. She is cool, calculating, and quick to align herself with whoever holds power, whether her husband or the rising Edmund. Her escalating cruelty toward Gloucester and her father shows how thoroughly the family's bonds have dissolved into competition.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Receives her portion and agrees with Goneril to limit Lear's authority.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Arrives with Cornwall, expresses outrage at Edgar's alleged betrayal, and blames Lear's knights for corrupting him.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Supports Cornwall's harsh punishment of Kent.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Regan sides with Goneril, demanding Lear reduce his train and return to Goneril, showing her coldness and lack of filial duty.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-vii)

Actively participates in Gloucester's torture, plucks his beard, and kills a servant.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-v)

Questions Oswald about Goneril's letter and Edmund, expresses romantic interest in Edmund, and orders the death of Gloucester.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i)

Regan expresses jealousy and suspicion about Edmund's relationship with Goneril, insisting he not be familiar with her.

### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/chapters/act-v-scene-iii)

Poisoned by Goneril, dies; her rivalry with Goneril over Edmund is revealed.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters/regan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/king_lear_se/characters