king.L act1 scene 2

• Edmund


  • Resents being treated as inferior because he is illegitimate
  • Plots against his family to pursue his own interests
  • Believes there is no justice under the law
• Edmund: 'Thou, nature, art my goddess; to thy law/ my services are bound.'
• Edmund's soliloquy

  Shows his true feelings and evil intentions
• Edmund is angry at the preferential treatment shown to people regarded as illegitimate
• Edmund chooses to make nature his 'goddess' and plans to displace his legitimate brother Edgar and claim his inheritance
• Edmund: 'I must have your land'
• Edmund: 'Edmund the base/ shall top the legitimate'
• Edmund's letter


  • He exaggerates his attempts to hide it so Gloucester will demand to know more
  • He pretends to be reluctant to hand it over
  • The letter claims Edgar is suggesting they murder their father and divide his wealth
• Gloucester is horrified to learn of the letter's contents
• The sub-plot

  Closely reflects the main storyline as both fathers are shocked by the unexpected behaviour of children who have always appeared to love them
• Gloucester: 'The oppression of aged tyranny'
• Gloucester immediately jumps to the conclusion Edmund has planned
• Gloucester agrees with Edmund's suggestion to spy on Edgar
• Gloucester


  • Appears as a naive, irrational character who is still stunned by what happened earlier in Lear's court
  • Is influenced by individuals who are not what they seem
• Gloucester: 'late eclipses in the sun and moon portend no good'
• Superstitious


  Gloucester reflects on how things change, blaming this on the stars
• Edmund mocks his father's beliefs that the stars are to blame for the man's actions
• Edmund asserts that he would have been exactly as he is regardless of what star shone on his conception
• Edgar never suspects his own brother Edmund's treachery
• Edmund correctly identifies his father as 'credulous' and his brother as being too 'Nobel' for his own good
• Edmund: 'If not by birth, have lands by wit'
• Edmund

  • Sees 'nature' as a malicious force which he can overturn civilisation and order
  • Is clever and persuasive, easily manipulating his father and brother
  • Can charm audiences, who sympathise with him despite his cold-hearted scheming