What do Edmund’s deceptions reveal about him and those he
deceives?
Edmund’s
deceptions reveal that he is malicious, but believes he is worthy. He believes
it is acceptable that he deceives others because he deserves more in life even
though he is a bastard: “Edmund the base/ Shall [top] th’ legitimate. I grow, I
prosper./ Now, gods, stand up for bastards!” (1.2.21-23). Edmund does not
understand why his brother Edgar, the legitimate son, should get his father’s
estate. He justifies his deception by the idea that he deserves the land as
much as Edgar does.
Edmund
deceives his father, Gloucester. He fakes a letter from Edgar which implies
that Edgar will kill Gloucester to have the estate sooner. Gloucester
immediately believes Edmund and shuns Edgar. Gloucester ends up condemning
Edgar to death and taking Edmund as his heir. This shows that Gloucester is
extremely paranoid of anything happening to him and that he does not value his
son. He does not address his son personally about this situation before
condemning him to death. Gloucester says, “That the which finds him shall
deserve our thanks,/ Bringing the murderous coward to the stake” (2.1.71-72). Gloucester
does not value his son. He immediately believes Edmund’s lie and is out to get
Edgar.
Edmund
also deceives his brother Edgar and tell him to flee from Gloucester. Edgar
takes Edmund’s advice immediately. In addition, Edgar thanks Edmund for his
advice. Edgar does not say much of anything when Edmund tells him this. Yet,
Edgar listens. He values Edmunds advice and does not suspect Edmund set him up.
Edgar believes that “Some villain hath done me wrong” (1.2.172). Yet, Edgar
does not believe that villain is Edmund otherwise he would not have taken
Edmund’s advice. This shows that Edgar and Edmund have a good brotherly
relationship. Edgar does not suspect Edmund to be the villain, and he
immediately takes his word as truth.
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