The Theme of Familial and Social Identity

One of the biggest ideas in the soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 2 is the theme of familial and social identity. This theme is seen through Edmund’s emotions and opinions towards the social laws put forth by man in regards to parent-child legitimacy. Edmund criticizes the core logic behind these social laws which spite him, “Why “bastard”? Wherefore “base,” When my dimensions are as well compact, My mind as generous and my shape as true as honest madam’s issue? Why brand they us with “base,” with “baseness,” “bastardy,” “base”.

Edmund questions why society deprives him of legal rights, when he is no less able or intelligent than his ‘legitimate’ brother. Edmund further protests the unjust and illogical nature of where familial recognition lies, as he critiques how a child created as the result of passionate lust is seen as inferior compared to children born from the “…dull, stale, tired bed.” that is arranged marriage. It is this theme of familial and social identity, along with Edmund’s criticisms that enable us to also characterize Edmund, as well as identify his motivations. The tone of this passage indicates that his label of a bastard is an insecurity as well as an annoyance. In addition to this, Edmund is shown to harbor an immense jealousy of Edgar. As he declares, “Well, my legitimate, if this letter speed and my intention thrive, Edmund the base shall top th’ legitimate. I grow, I prosper.” This declaration of future triumph foreshadows Edmund’s motivations throughout the play, as well as giving insight into his character.

Edgar’s soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 3, serves to highlight the struggle that characters face in regards to identity. Edgar attempts to flee the unjust workings of social and legal conventions, as well as escape persecution from those who intend to harm him by erasing his past identity and donning the persona of “Poor Tom” the beggar. While his illegitimate brother, Edmund, seeks a reprieve from “baseness” that was the result of his birth, Edgar seeks to preserve himself by masking his status and birthright by taking “the basest and most poorest shape that ever penury in the contempt of man, brought near to beast.” Edgar disguises his now tainted social status in the “contempt of man”, as he believes that the appearance of low social status will allow him to be overlooked by the snobbish upper-class nobles who are searching for him. In addition to this, the masking of his identity and the assumption of a new one that is “near to beast” allows Edgar to find worth and purpose in the wilderness that was lacking in the rigid structure of human society. Edgar furthers this claim towards the end of his soliloquy, as he declares that “Poor Turlygod! Poor Tom! That’s something yet. “Edgar” I nothing am.” Edgar revels in his acceptance of the ‘Poor Tom’ alias, as he claims that his old identity of Edgar is worthless.

Throughout King Lear, William Shakespeare comments on multiple different aspects of the human experience, whether it be a positive or negative aspect. In both Act 3 and Act 4, Shakespeare highlights one of the most profound human truths there is: that human beings are inherently insignificant. This truth is a subtle backdrop for the events of the play, especially in Act 3. For example, in Act 3, Scene 2, Lear and the Fool stand amongst the raging storm, and the Fool states, “Here’s a night pities neither wise men nor fools.” The Fool is describing how Nature does not discriminate based on social status. The ‘night’ – or Nature – does not care if someone is a king, a commoner, a wise man, or a fool, it ravages us all the same. This truth permeates throughout the play, as while the character’s conflicts amongst each other may seem important, on the grand scale of Nature and Divine power, we are but unimportant and miniscule. During Act 3, Lear comes face to face with this truth in his confrontation with the mighty storm, and after realizes he this truth, he proclaims, “Here I stand your slave, a poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man.”

Another way in which Shakespeare alludes to the truth of humans being weak and insignificant is through Gloucester’s remarks in Act 4, Scene 1. Gloucester, a man who experienced torture and betrayal at the hands of a son, recounts his experiences and compares man to a puny insect, as he states that he “…such a fellow saw, which made me think a man a worm.” Gloucester continues this idea of humans being nothing more than insects, “As flies to wanton boys are we to th’ gods; they kill us for their sport.” this continued sentiment of human’s being nothing more than sport for the divine is a concept that serves as a backdrop for the tone of the play. Shakespeare highlights our inconsequential existence to serve as both an obstacle for characters like Lear to overcome, and to be a underlying them of events in the play.

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