Edmund

Edmund

1. Malcontent discontent with the sisal structure and other characters, often a scornful, mocking outsider-observer & commentator

   • Not only is he a 'bastard' but also a victim of law of primogeniture
     • Adopts own law and rule inhibited in nature - raw and unconstrained by custom, morality and order. Aligns himself with the beasts and acts such which he believes is true to beings to as nature intended
       • 'Thou, Nature, art my goddess to thy law my services are bound. Wherefore should I stand in the plague of custom'
       • 'Edmund believes is is natural to be repository of sensuality and self-advancement. Natural impulse of humanity is to better oneself at the expense of others'

2. Machiavelli (Florentine political theorist, whose notorious book The Prince (1513) justified the use of dishonest means to retain state power) Ruthless schemers, atheists, and poisoners- Iago & Richard III

   • 'Edmund the base shall top the legitimate. I grow, I prosper. Now gods, stand up for bastards!'
     • Fighting for Justice?
     • Elispeth Bain: Edmund represents 'malign' nature in human beings 'feeds ruthless and selfish impulses' 'ruthless individualism' 'lack conscience and moral sensitivity, and concerned with his own advancement and profit'
   • Paul Delaney: 'the Fox…cunning and ruthless devotee of Machavellian realpolitik'

3. Brook: 'admirably wicked'

   • 'Let me, if not by birth, have lands by wit, All with me's meet that I can fashion fit.'
   • A Realist (takes responsibility for himself)
     • 'Fut! I should have been that I am had the maidenliest star in the firmament twinkled on my bastardising.'

4. Charismatic Attractive Ambitious

5. Self-aware & delights in villainy Over-indulgence in his appetite for deceit, treachery and cruelty destroys almost every other character.

6. Mistreated: Demeaned & Marginalised

   • 'bastard', 'illegitimate' 'Why brand they us with base? With baseness, bastardy? Base? Base?
     • Perpetuated by Gloucester's coarse boasting and joculence in presence of court and Edmund: 'this knave came saucily into the world…there was good sport in his making… the whoreson must be acknowledged'
       • Edmund raised in luxury rather left to poverty a common practise amongst nobleman getting rid of bastard children Edmund given share in opportunities as sons of nobleman often sent abroad for training, as Prince Henry, elder son of James I But G attempt to distance himself from living evidence elf his sin

7. Good?

   • 'I pant for my life. Some good I mean to do, Despite of my own nature. Quickly send-'
     • Only king had the authority to condemn or in this case pardon those about to be executed

8. Pragmatic Self-serving Determined

   • 'for my state/ Stands on me to defend, not to debate'