The Pros of Poisoning

   In Chapter 11 of “How to Read Literature Like a Professor”, Foster addresses the fact that while in real life a punch in the nose could really just be the result of two boys engaged in horseplay, violence in literature is usually placed in the text to deal with a deeper meaning. There are, of course, many types of violence an author can add to their story. As Foster says, generalizing about the meanings of violence is “nearly impossible”, as there are so many directions an author can go. However, when dealing with poison in a plot, there is often commonality.
   The end of “King Lear” is extremely chaotic. One of the chaotic elements is the love triangle that is occurring between Goneril, Regan, and Edmund. (Gloucester’s illegitimate son) Both ladies are fighting for this man’s love, even though they are already married to the Duke of Albany and Cornwall respectively, and surely the majority  of us are aware that when a woman is vying for the love of the same man as another woman, things escalate quickly--and often result in violence.
   Goneril decided to off the woman who is standing between herself and her man, and the fact that the woman in her way is her very own sister doesn’t matter. In fact, with Cornwall dead, Goneril’s chances over Regan are less than in her favor. So, being the well-mannered, polite, and good little queen that she is, Goneril slips poison into Regan’s drink, killing her.
    Why poison though? That’s what I would like to know. Shakespeare has never been known to be shy with his bloody and gory descriptions. Why are we spared the gruesome details of Regan’s death? Her bloodied body, cut up face, wounded corpse? This is actually the entire point. A murder by poison is actually the best way Goneril could have killed. First of all, most of Shakespeare’s women do not use swords. This type of fighting was far more common amongst the males. though the poisoning results in a death, and therefore is no less lethal than a stab wound, poison is seen as a more feminine and “tidy” way to go about killing---it’s simply less messy.
    The poison can also be symbolic of the poisonous relationship the girls had both with each other and their other sister, Cordelia, but also with their father Lear. It’s not just any woman who does the deed though, it’s Goneril, expert of deception. Goneril is also very sneaky. Therefore, slipping poison into a drink seems more align with something her character would do than would a slashing of the throat or stabbing of the heart.
    The use of poison to kill instead of a knife, sword, or in modern literature, a gun enables the character to do the deed without putting themselves at physical risk. Another “benefit” of poison, is that the rest of the characters may never know for sure who did it. They may have guesses, yes, but the act of slipping poison into food or drink is something done on the sly, out of the public eye. Unlike any other form of murder, poison use doesn't require a great deal of strength, (which is why is is popular among the lady characters) and if it is done properly, the victim will already be dead before they realize they have been poisoned. 
   So the next time you need to seek revenge on an ex or on that jerk who stole your parking spot at the mall, take note. Poison is a great way to go!






DISCLAIMER: The last paragraph was a (bad) attempt at a joke. I do not promote the harming of others in any way.****