Primarily, King Lear has an epiphany once his status is reduced by his daughters. It is true, that when Lear is king he is very prideful and selfish; he is only concerned with his own well being. After being locked out in the storm, labeled a fool, and reduced …show more content…
Despite his previous title as the bastard son of Gloucester, he gains great power towards the end of the play and leads the war against France. Unfortunately, this heightened status does not last, for Edgar arrives and declares that Edmund is “...a traitor, [and is] false to [the] gods, [his] brother, and [his] father…” (lines 141-142). Although severe, the accusations are true; not only does Edmund betray his brother and father to steal the family title, he also plots to kill Cordelia and Lear. After Edgar wins the duel with Edmund to protect his honour, Edmund admits to his crimes “...and more, and much more. [Declaring that only] the time will bring [the truth] out. [For] ‘tis past, and so [is he],” (lines 173-174). As a result, Edmund warns Edgar of his plot to kill Cordelia and Lear, for “some good [he] mean to do, despite of [his] own nature,” (line 257-258). As discussed above, the shame Edmund faces after his brother vanquishes his status causes him to admit his crimes and attempt to right his evil