William Shakespeare 's King Lear

As they become more powerful than Lear himself and have the authority to do as they please, Lear starts to finally get a grasp to the situation. As all of this is happening the readers find out of Edmunds true identity. While he hides his identity from his father he does everything in his power to gain his father’s respect, in order to steal his title. For Edmund to get his wishes granted he betrays his brothers. In act 1 scene 3, he revealed his plan to the readers: Convincing his father into thinking Edgar wanted to kill him and convincing Edgar into leaving and banishing; never speaking to his father again. Here betrayal is being used to get one's way

The power that makes Edmund corrupt is trust. He uses the trust to manipulate and control his father for the benefit of himself. He frames his brother by composing a false letter to his father implicating a plot to kill Gloucester, that when “our father would sleep till I waked him, you should enjoy half his revenue forever.” (1, 2, 55-56) Gloucester replies with “this villain of mine comes under the prediction of mine: there’s son against father” (1, 2, 112-117) This shows that Gloucester had great faith and trust in his son Edgar. To better his plan he goes to Edgar and convinces him to run away. The thought that he would frame his own brother for the chance to gain power shows his corruption, and that he will do anything to have more power. Edmund writes another letter, except this implicates his father in a plot with France to kill The Duke of Cornwall. He does this so that “the younger rises [and] the old doth fall” (3, 4, 25) and he will become the Earl. Edmund is so corrupted and blinded by his quest for power that he is willing to jeopardize his father’s

Edgar is the next character who displays loyalty to his father even after he has been outlawed and was forced to hide and disguise himself. Gloucester favors Edgar's evil half-brother Edmund, who deceives him into believing that it is Edgar who is disloyal. However, after Gloucester's eyes are plucked out he realizes his mistake when he is told that it is Edmund who has betrayed him. When the blind Gloucester is led to the disguised Edgar, his son agrees to lead him to the cliffs of Dover. In order to prevent his father's attempted suicide, Edgar stages a scene where he leads his father to believe that he has fallen off the cliffs but has been miraculously saved. Edgar once again defends his father's life when he prevents Oswald from assassinating him. Through these events Edgar exemplifies loyalty by leading his blind father to safety, even though he had been wrongfully mistreated.

He also tells Edgar that Cornwall is not pleased with him over a dispute between Albany and Cornwall that Edgar knows nothing about. He then urges Edgar to flee just before he lies to Gloucester about Edgar’s intent. Gloucester, believing Edmund’s lies condemns Edgar to death and promises Edmund his lordship. Edmund, having disposed of his brother and securing his eventual reward sees an opportunity to acquire his land and status a little more swiftly. When Gloucester flees to help Lear he entrusts Edmund with ensuring Cornwall does not discover Gloucester’s plans and the location of letter regarding an imminent French invasion. Edmund immediately betrays his father and shows Cornwall the letter, making him believe Gloucester is working for the French. Gloucester is soon after discovered and brought before Cornwall and Reagan. While Gloucester is being blinded by Cornwall, Edmund is busy courting Goneril outside of her palace. Edmund decides to double his chances of becoming King by courting Reagan as well. Edmund’s final act of treachery occurs when he gives orders to the Captain to hang Lear and Cordelia. He lies even in his dying breath as he stalls in order to ensure the death of Cordelia: “Despite of mine own nature. Quickly send-/ Be brief in it - to th’ castle, for my writ/ Is on the life of Lear, and on Cordelia./ Nay, send in time.” (Shakespeare 5.3.292-295) Edmund’s actions led

Upon Edgar’s introduction, he speaks in prose as he freely interacts with his bastard half-brother Edmund. His use of prose suggests that he is comfortable with Edmund, and through such intimate

Upon hearing this, Edmund presents himself as sympathetic and supportive towards Gloucester. After his father leaves, Edmund reveals to the reader his true intentions of betraying his father and taking his title. This abrupt transformation of attitude and objective is part of the theme of “Appearance vs Reality.” Although he appears to be loyal and innocent to Gloucester, the reality is that he is planning to overthrow Gloucester and is apathetic towards his

Edgar meets Edmund in their father’s chambers, Edgar enquires of his brother: “How now, brother

Upon seeing Edgar emerge from the hovel disguised as poor Tom, what does Lear immediately assume has happened to Edgar?

Edgar manipulates even his highly respected father and sacrifices his brother’s life for his goal. Edmund believes his innovational lie will scores him his goal, “if this letter speed and invention thrive Edmund the base shall top the legitimate” (1.2 19 -20). He plots to deceive his father with a fake letter from Edgar, idealistically threatening him.

When the reader turns their focus to Gloucester, they can immediately see the view he holds over both of his sons. As he speaks to Kent about Edmund, the reader learns that Gloucester has had to explain his unfortunate relation to him so many times now that he is no longer embarrassed by it, but, “brazen to it“ (I.i). Then in the next lines, Gloucester goes on to say that his real son Edgar is “no dearer in my account” (I.i). Thus, even though Edgar is legitimate and Edmund is a ‘bastard child,’ Gloucester doesn’t seem to be very interested in either of them. This self-interest allows Edmund to play to Gloucester’s own interests and fears with ease. It allows Edmund to have his father turn his back on his son without so much as a second thought.

In the beginning of the play we see how Gloucester’s illegitimate son Edmund plans to rid of him and his brother who was the legitimate son Edgar, in order to inherit his father's wealth and power. To put this plan into action Edmund forges a letter that describes a plan to kill their father, for the sake of quickening the inheritance process, in which he makes Gloucester believe is from Edgar. But Edmund also manipulates Edgar, telling him lies of their father being upset with him, also telling him at all cost to avoid their father, and carry a weapon. After seeing the fake letter he believes Edgar wrote, and Edgar’s behavior, Gloucester is convinced his illegitimate son is after killing him, in believing so he send his men after him, which

Unlike King Lear, Edmund has no power at the beginning of the play. Being Gloucester’s youngest and illegitimate son he is not accepted by society or his father. Gloucester says in front of Edgar, “His breeding, sir, hath been at my charge / I have so often blushed to acknowledge him that now I am brazed to it” (1.1.8-9).  Edgar, Edmund’s older brother will inherit their father's wealth, land, and title. Knowing this Edmund’s hunger for power has probably grown through the years, giving him the motivation to act the way he did. In 1.2 Edmund tells the audience that he’s going to con

Edmund’s frustration at the treatment of illegitimate children was present from the start of the play, as he exclaimed: “Why ‘bastard’?/ [..] When my mind as generous and my shape as true / As honest madam’s issue?” (I ii 6-7). He considered himself an

It is apparent that the younger generation is motivated by greed, power and lust. This potentially made them more cunning and ruthless in their actions by exploiting the older generation's vulnerability. Edmund's desire for Edgar's half of the inheritance, shows how benevolent a human being can be. In Edmund's soliloquy in the beginning of[Act 1 scene 2] he planned to betray both his father and half-brother by forging a letter describing Edgar's intentions on Gloucester's inheritance. Upon showing this letter to the gullible Gloucester, he ordered to have a contract out for Edgar's head.

1. “Cease to look upon Edmund as the enemy of your house; look upon him as a son, and make him so indeed!—How say you, Sir Philip? My son!—Yes, my Lord; give him your daughter: He is already your son in filial affection! Your son William and he are sworn brothers; what remains but to make him yours? He deserves such a parent, you such a son; and you will by this means, ingraft into your family, the name, title, and estate of Lovel, which will be entailed on your posterity for ever.” — The Old English Baron, 110