| Act 1, Scene 2: Edmund’s ambition to subvert the natural order – seems to have an obsession with his own illegitimacy | ‘Edmund the base, shall top th’ legitimate. I grow; I prosper. Now, gods, stand up for bastards!’ |
| Act 1, Scene 2: Celestial imagery used to support Edmund’s desire to change his destiny as an illegitimate son | ‘we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars’ |
| Act 3, Scene 3: ominous end to a soliloquy – Edmund announces his plans to topple his father and take over | ‘The younger rises when the old doth fall’ |
| Act 3, Scene 5: Prolific use of asides makes Edmund feel ‘unnatural’ due to his uncomplicated self ambition and breaking of the fourth wall | ‘[aside] If I find him comforting the King, it will stuff hissuspicion more fully.’ |
| Act 5, Scene 1: Edmund revels in the power and control he has over Goneril and Regan – use of rhetorical questions makes it seem like he’s toying with the idea of what he could do | ‘Which of them shall I take? Both? one? or neither? Neither can be enjoy’d, If both remain alive.’ |
| Act 5, Scene 3: On the brink of death, Edmund reflects on his journey on the wheel of fortune | ‘The wheel is come full circle; I am here.’ |
King Lear – Edmund Quotes
July 4, 2019