Proposing a test of his daughters' adoration, King Lear asks them each to describe how much they truly love him. ... Acting unlike any ideal Shakespearean females should, both Goneril and Regan show that the gender of a villain is unimportant, and that antagonists may be fair, as well as sly. ... This refusal to participate in the King's love test proves that she is the most loving daughter, but Lear banishes her from their kingdom. ...

• Word Count: 1537
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Although Cordelia and the Fool had the intention and goal to save Lear from himself, Cordelia was much less successful, due to her gender and position in the family. ... During Lear's test of love, she calls out her sisters, claiming that they couldn't possibly love the king as much as they say because they already have husbands; "why have my sisters husbands if they say they love you all?... In a normal case, gender would be enough to explain why the fool could succeed where Cordelia couldn't, but this is a case of royalty. ...

• Word Count: 1869
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

The evolution of this genre is constantly being revised by those who insist on testing its limit - whether it be shifting the setting to the workplace as seen on West Wing or E.R., or having unique interaction between family members by creating a generation gap seen on Dawson's Creek. ... When it comes to the specific gender roles, Felicity is the stereotypical girl with Ben but more aggressive with Noel. ...

• Word Count: 2043
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: Undergraduate