GONERIL

one of Lear's two treacherous daughters in Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear. Lear's eldest daughter, Goneril is married to the duke of Albany. Like her sister Regan, she betrays her father's trust and then banishes him. As he sees events unfold, Albany shows her unnaturalness to her: O Goneril, You are not worth the dust which the rude wind Blows in your face. I fear your disposition; That nature which contemns its origin Cannot be bordered certain in itself. She that herself will sliver and disbranch From her material sap perforce must wither And come to deadly use.