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Edmund In King Lear

 

             William Shakespeares play King Lear is a dark tragedy. It starts with the King of England, King Lear, handing over his properties to three of his daughters Coneril, Regan and Cordelia. He asks his daughters how much they love him, and base on their answers, Lear will determine who can inherit his properties. The evil daughters Regan and Goneril whom Lear believes truly love him, inherit Lears all properties. However, the innocent daughter Cordelia denies to answer her fathers question and her denial angers him. Finally Lear realizes that he blames Cordelia wrongly, but tragedy has already occurred. Edmund, who is a jealous, greedy and cruel character, is the main cause of the tragedy. He is a bastard son of Earl of Gloucester, and his characteristics are driven by envy and possessions. .
             Edmund and Edgar are Gloucesters 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 tot."( 1.1.8-10).
             Edmund is jealous of his brother Edgar because Edgar can inherit Gloucester's power and properties after he dies. He feels annoyed and unfair that he is less worthy than Edgar merely because he is a bastard. He is trying to prove that the qualifications of inheriting should not be the divine order, but the child's abilities. He believes that he is more intelligent to receive the inheritance rather than Edgar, but because he is illegitimate, he cannot inherit his fathers title. As a result, he tells himself to be stronger in order to have whatever he wants. .
             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).
             Edmund "Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed, And my invention thrive, Edmund the base shall top th legitimate.


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