Dec 26, 2009

King Lear | Gloucester (Character Analysis)

The earl of Gloucester is the father of Edgar and Edmund. As a character, Gloucester connects the main plot with the subplot of the play. His situation parallels the situation of Lear. He mistakenly believes Edmund when the latter pretends to read a letter that is falsely said to be written by Edgar. In that letter, Edgar supposedly tells Edmund of his impatience to inherit Gloucester's estate. Gloucester, like Lear, responds emotionally, immediately denouncing his legitimate son (Edgar) and trusting in the son who really intends to do him wrong (Edmund). And like Lear, Gloucester is to...