Characters - Edgar

7 important questions on Characters - Edgar

How are Edgar and Edmund different?

Edmund's evil nature is strongly charismatic, in sharp and ironic contrast to the bland goodness of his brother. - Edmund has more audience appeal (strong physical presence) = his dark nature does not make him likeable but compelling.

How can we describe Edgar?

A righteous deceiver.

What two sides of the argument are presented through Edgar's role?

- He has a dangerously simplistic moral viewpoint which he asserts to the detriment of others

- He has a vital role in asserting moral values of the play & its redemptive possibilities.

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Arguably Edgar fakes Gloucester's suicide to teach him a lesson, give evidence for this.

He prepares Gl for death to get his hopes up - there is no evidence in the play that the gods exist = he creates a false miracle - he plays with Gl's emotions against a perfectly legitimate opinion for suicide. "Away and let me die" p. 330

Gloucester also had sex outside marriage which resulted in the birth of Edmund and so he should be punished i.e. his adultery cost him his eyes (p.378)

Why is Edgar so important in the redemption of King Lear?

 

His role of poor Tom makes Lear learn what it is to be human, "Is man no more than this?" - Lear p. 278

What does Edgar's triumph over Edmund mean regarding their father?

He avenges Gloucester's death = GOOD TRIUMPHS OVER EVIL

What does Shakespeare challenge through Edgar?

Simplistic moral view points

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