I grow, I prosper."(1.22.19-21).
He then decides to ruin Edgars reputation by lying to his father that Edgar is planning to kill him. He makes a fake letter which claims that Edgar is planning to kill Gloucester and shows it to Gloucester on purpose. He pretends to be faithful to his father Gloucester when he accuses his brother Edgar, and definitely, he gains Gloucester's trust. Edmunds action is driven by envy. He is jealous of Edgar not only because Edgar can inherit Gloucesters title, but also because Gloucester puts all his attention on his lawful son Edgar. His jealousness drives him to be a greedy person.
One of facts that determine a persons 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 Edgars inheritance is abolished, Edmund can inherit his fathers 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.
Gloucester "You know the character to be your brother's?".
Edmund "If the matter were good, my lord, I durst swear it were his; but in respect of that, I would fain think it were not.
Gloucester "It is his.".
Edmund "It is his hand, my lord; but I hope his heart is not in the contents."(1.2.63-70).
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.
Has this been your interpretation after reading King Lear? The characters Gonerill, Regan and Edmund could be categorised as the cruelest in Shakespeare's play, King Lear. ... The end of King Lear however, sees Gonerill, Regan and Edmund all dead. ... King Lear an honest but old aged King, suffered immensely from his daughters" cruel ways. ... The ending of King Lear sees Albany and Edgar save the day. ...
Significance of the Subplot in King Lear In an attempt to universalize the travesties endured by the protagonist and tragic hero, Shakespeare incorporates a significant subplot into King Lear. Although the focus clearly lies on the tragic plight of King Lear, the secondary plot involving Gloucester and his offspring mirrors and dramatizes Lear's hopeless situation. ... I love your majesty/According to my bond, no more nor less" (William Shakespeare, King Lear [New York: Penguin Books, 1999, Act I, scene i, lines 91-93.] ... In an effective attempt to universalize King Lear's dil...
William Shakespeare's King Lear displays many instances of transfer of power throughout this play. ... The play shows the betrayal and trust of characters in King Lear. ... The play starts out with King Lear giving his power to his two daughters, Regan and Goneril. ... Goneril also displays her careless attitude for King Lear right after Regan. ... One example from King Lear that displays this second theme is when Goneril and Regan take the power and abuse King Lear to insanity. ...
Derek Standarowski 2/1/03 AP English King Lear Many critics often interpret King Lear, one of Shakespeare's timeless classics, as a journey to self-awareness. ... In King Lear, both Lear and Gloucester have to suffer extraordinarily; this suffering, however, leads to growth and ultimately to self-awareness. ... King Lear's hot temper and hasty decisions contribute significantly to his path of suffering. ... King Lear is no longer concerned with flattery and money, but with the truth and love. ... When Gloucester confides in Edmund and his plans to aid Lear, Edmund seizes the ...
The story of King Lear is one of William Shakespeare's most prized and cherished works. ... Edgar plays a critical role in Act 5 of King Lear. ... (King Lear, 24.151-152)" and "Most monstrous! ... (King Lear, 24.155). ... (King Lear, 23.8)", Edgar was able to convince and persuade him to carry on. ...
King Lear (1604) deals with the consequences and misjudgments of Lear. ... One where two evil daughters help banish a good daughter in a love test by King Lear. ... Edmund responds,Nothing, my lord.? ... In his old age King Lear had divided his kingdom between his daughters, Goneril and Regan, who professed great love for him but then harassed him into madness. ... King Lear died over her body....
King Lear (1604) deals with the consequences and misjudgments of Lear. ... One where two evil daughters help banishes a good daughter in a love test by King Lear. ... Edmund responds,Nothing, my lord.? ... In his old age King Lear had divided his kingdom between his daughters, Goneril and Regan, who professed great love for him but then harassed him into madness. ... King Lear died over her body....
Astrological imagery and references about the power of nature are prevalent throughout King Lear. ... It is significant to point out and compare the superstitious beliefs of the characters in King Lear to indicate just how deeply ingrained these tendencies were in the mindsets of Elizabethan citizenry. King Lear was a British king who reigned before the Roman period. ... In King Lear, astrology is used in a broader context and with a lot of effect. ... But Edmund does not realize that he is actually playing right into the hands of astrology when he acts against his brother, father and the Ki...
King Lear is a play that illustrates this poignant theme in brutal reality. ... At the beginning of the play, we see Lear as a proud, vain, and rash old king, not necessarily evil, but not good either. ... Shakespeare has transformed Lear from a rash and egotistical old king into a more kindly and sympathetic character. ... Blindness in King Lear is the inability to see past deception and see people for the way they truly are. ... King Lear was blinded and unable to see Regan and Goneril for their true character. ...
King Lear is not only a story of the trials and tribulations of the parent-child relationship, but also one of love, hate, honor and betrayal. ... Among many more lines, King Lear presents the notion of natural law, that man is ordained by the stars as to what and how he will be, and that is our destiny to be what we are. ... A thief can be nothing but a thief, and king none other than a king. ... Cordellia is banished for being honest with Lear, Kent is banished for revealing his objection to Lear's actions, and Gloucester has his eyes gouged out for being loyal to Lear, while Edmund...