VARSHA PANJWANI: When I first saw the painting, I was intrigued by Cordelia’s gaze. She’s looking at her sisters, and the two sisters are looking at her.

I am Dr. Varsha Panjwani, and I am the host and creator of the Women and Shakespeare podcast.

Usually, this scene is interpreted superficially. Critics say that Goneril and Regan are evil, and they hate Cordelia. But looking at the expressions, I think it’s not so clear cut.

NARRATOR: The tragedy of Shakespeare’s epic play centers on an elderly, vain father choosing to divide his power and land among his three daughters - based on their professed love.

VARSHA PANJWANI: If we look at Regan’s expression, she’s in the middle because she’s the middle sister, wearing red and it seems like she can’t wait to sit on the throne-like structure that’s behind her. Is it because Regan as a middle child has never had any power and really wants to exert it? 

If we look at Goneril’s expression, the one in the black, the eldest sister, I’m very torn. Does she look haughty and dismissive, or does she look thoughtful and sad? 

And what about Cordelia’s expression? Is she judging her sisters for not standing up to their father, or is she stunned? As the youngest sibling, has she always had it easy and, therefore, she expects more? 

It's quite interesting what goes on between them, and Shakespeare shows us that. I think Abbey in this painting shows us that through the expressions. So both of them are painting a very nuanced picture, one with words and one in oil paints.