Edmund and Edgar are Gloucester¡¥s sons, but Edmund is the illegitimate son and Edgar is the lawful son. Gloucester often feels embarrassed and shameful to admit that Edmund is a bastard.

Gloucester ¡§His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge. I have so often blushed to acknowledge him that now I am brazed to¡¦t.¡¨( 1.1.8-10).

Edmund is jealous of his brother Edgar because Edgar can inherit Gloucester¡¦s power and proper

Edmund ¡§Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed, And my invention thrive, Edmund the base shall top th¡¦ legitimate. I grow, I prosper.¡¨(1.22.19-21)

Cornwall ¡§True or false, it hath made thee Earl of Gloucester. Seek out where thy father is, that he may be ready for our apprehension.

One of facts that determine a person¡¥s power is wealth. If a person has more money, then he or she can be more powerful. Edmund understands this fact and he is trying to gain more wealth in order to be powerful. First, he accuses his brother Edgar being unfaithful to his father Gloucester. His accusation is not only because of his jealousness towards Edgar, but also because of his greed. It is because if Edgar¡¥s inheritance is abolished, Edmund can inherit his father¡¥s possessions. In order to make Gloucester believes his lies, he makes a fake letter which imitates Edgar¡¦s hand-writings, he then asks Edgar fights with him in front of Gloucester and makes Gloucester believe that Edgar is harmful and evil.

Edmund ¡§Lag of a brother? Why bastard? Wherefore base, when my dimensions are as well compact, My mind as generous, and my shape as true, As honest madam¡¦s issue?¡¨(1.2.6-8)

Eventually, Gloucester believes in Edmund and Edgar is exiled. After kicking Edgar out of the picture, Edmund tries to gain more power by having affair Lear ¡¥s evil daughters Coneril and Regan. He understands that lust can control a person completely. He also realizes that one of them will be the queen of England, if he gets married with the queen, he will become the king of England, who is the most powerful person in the country. Because of his g

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