Act 1 Scene 2 Flashcards
What does Edmund say about society in his soliliquy in act 1 scene 2
Why brand they us with base?with baseness,bastardy?base,base?
Significance of “why brand they us with bae?with baseness,bastardy? Base,base?
Most of his anger is at society,as a result we feel sorry for him
His speech is choppy showing him as unable to articulate his anger
He feels he is permanently marked for life by his bastardy with his life poisoned by his illegitimacy
Plosives ‘b’alliteration furthers anger
How does Edmund challenge natural law in his soliliquy
He directly addresses nature as a deity proclaiming it as his goddess “thou nature art my goddess” as he aims to invert the natural order suggesting that “nature” is on his side even if society deems him unworthy
He contrasts the “law of nature” with the constructs of society,thereby criticising it
How does Edmund in his soliliquy foreshadow chaos and betrayal
He rejects the traditional bonds of family and legitimacy setting the stage for his ensuing betrayals and political machinations
He declares these actions are justified by natural law,challenging the audiences moral expectations
Is Edmund’s betrayal of Edgar justified?
No He betrays his own blood clearly showing him as a villain yet could it be explained by his anger at the world treating him differently and the treatment of bastards in this time
Why is gloucester’s hyperbolic reaction to Edgar’s forged letter significant
His reaction,calling him an “abhorred villain” and talking of the “mutinies” in cities and “treason” in palaces mirrors that of Lear’s own reaction characterising the old world as incredibly rash.It also shows how both Lear and Gloucester don’t know their own children well enough
Other dramatic methods used in act 1 scene 2
-‘Pockets the letter’ making it obvious he intends for Gloucester to question it
-Use of dramatic irony as we have heard Edmund’s soliliquy so know his intentions
