King Lear And Edmund Essays - King Lear, Edmund, Royal Bastard

King Lear And Edmund In King Lear, the villainous but intelligent Edmund, with more than a brief examination into his character, has understandable motivations outside of the base purposes with which he might at first be credited. Edmund is a character worthy of study, as he seems to be the most socially complex character of the play. In a sense, he is both victim and villain. Edmund is introduced into the play in the opening scene with his father, Gloucester, stating that he acknowledges him as his son, but publicly mocking him for his bastardy. He is referred to by Gloucester as a reason for Gloucester to blush and as a"knave" in front of Kent (1.1.9-25). According to Claude J. Summers, "Illegitimacy is the characteristic which most pervasively defines Edmund's life" (225). In essence, this means that personal embarrassment and public humiliation are a continual torment for him his entire life. Concerning the illegitimate sons of royalty in England at that time, according to Chris Given-Wilson in The Royal Bastards of Medieval England, "The bend . . . or baton sinister . . . were used as the standard mark of illegitimacy" in their heraldry (52). Edmund and those like him, expected to serve in battle, were immediately known to other knights as being bastards because it was clearly emblazoned on their shields. Given his father's mocking of him, it can be expected that this was common treatment for illegitimate sons of nobility and the carrying of a sign to broadcast his perceived lower class would be cause for further humiliation. Edmund is a highly intelligent person. He is able to beguile his father, so it may be argued that he is more intelligent than Gloucester. With the concept of forging a letter supposedly penned by Edgar in order to cause his loyalty to be in question, he shows that he is deeply aware of the necessary "buttons" to push to cause a rift in the fabric of his family and A Look at Shakespeare's Edmund his society. It shows that he is capable of original and creative thought processes (1.2.28-36). When Edmund makes a show of hiding the letter from his father, then hesitating to show it to him further, he shows a deep understanding of human nature (1.2.38-47). Who would not be intrigued and desire to see it? Who would be capable of crediting him with the writing of the letter? Edmund has a keen understanding of human nature and an intelligence that excels that of his father. Edmund could certainly not be described as naive. Early in the play, we realize that his brother Edgar is just the opposite, though later he grows wiser due to necessity. In believing Edmund's lies that their father is angry with him to the point of accepting the advice to carry a sword around with him, he displays his poor judgment, eventually causing grave difficulties for himself and his father (1.2.164-83). In contrasting Edgar and Edmund, we can see that Edmund is clearly more world-wise and able to create situations to his own advantage. This lack of naivet? and clear thinking can be seen as a form of intelligence. He is able to easily trick his brother and is intelligent than Edgar. In comparing Goneril and Regan to Edmund, we find that Edmund is once again the more crafty and intelligent. By the end of the play we see that their plots are going to hinge on his course of action and that they are both doting on him. He has one willing to kill her husband and the other willing to give him all of her land and a title. Given their natures, it is almost a surprise that the author has not portrayed them as creatures similar to the witches in Mac Beth. Edmund knows who they are and it is doubtful they could be physically attractive to him, yet they choose to believe the sincerity of his overtures. His ability to dupe them shows him to be their superior. When Edmund covets Edgar's inheritance, it is not simply the coveting of land and title; it is a coveting of respect in the social order of his world. Edgar reveals not only his intentions, but also some of the reasoning behind them when he says Legitimate Edgar, I must have your land. Our father's love is to the bastard Edmond As to th'legitimate. Fine word, ?legitimate' Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed And my invention thrive, Edmond the base Shall to the'legitimate: I grow,