King lear
King lear -Why bastard wherefore base?" asks Edmund. The bitter illegitimate son resents his father and brother. He is determined to
"prosper" and "grow." Ruthlessly, he plays on old Gloucester's weakness and persuades him that Edgar seeks his death to
obtain his inheritance. Edgar, being told that Gloucester seeks his life for some reason, flees. With Edgar thus removed,
Edmund now seeks to destroy his father and reports his alleged "treason" to Cornwall who removes the old man's eyes. The
bastard has travelled far and is now Earl of Gloucester. Sought in love by both Goneril and Regan, victorious in battle over
Cordelia's forces, Edmund's future seems assured. Alas, the discovery of Goneril's letter urging Edmund to kill her husband
Albany leads to his arrest. Edgar in disguise fights Edmund, who is defending his honour and is mortally wounded - "the
wheel has come full circle". Gloucester, realising the wrong he has done to Edgar, yet joyful he is alive, dies. Edgar joins
Albany in ruling the country.
So skillfully has Shakespeare intertwined the two plots, beginning in Act II at Gloucester's castle and ending in the alliance
of Edgar and Albany, that is is difficult to separate them. Gloucester, like Lear, suffers from filial ingratitude. It...
To view the complete essay, you be registered.