Divinely Unjust
In King Lear by William Shakespeare, injustices are frequently inflicted upon Edmund. The lack of equity in Edmund’s life perpetuates his rejection of divine justice, which states that good always triumphs evil. Edmund’s refusal to believe in divine justice ultimately leads to acts of injustice on his part. The audience’s first exposure to Edmund is a notification of the injustice of his situation. As the play proceeds, it is still apparent that Edmund is inflicted with injustices, despite the malicious schemes he develops. The reader becomes aware of Edmund’s strong disapproval of divine justice. His unjust actions result from his rejection of the notion that good triumphs evil. This is reflective of the overall inequality …show more content…
Therefore, all that is good is just and vice versa. This is evidenced by Cordelia, who is portrayed by Shakespeare as both kind and just (Shakespeare 240.) Likewise, badness is correlated with injustice. Although many of the characters commit arguably unjust acts, Edmund is a much more frequent perpetrator and commits his acts on a larger scale. Therefore, Edmund is the only denier of divine justice in the text. Edmund’s acts of injustice stem from the injustices that he himself faces. He utilizes this disapproval to justify his wrong-doings. Overall, Edmund’s position of inequality eggs on Edmund’s disbelief in divine justice.
The concept of divine justice is widely accepted among the characters as well as the audience, as was the norm among Elizabethan era British. Church leaders preached that Christians should not “be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Moule.) Christianity was the overwhelming religion during the early 1600’s during which the play is set (Religion). Therefore, the majority of the characters agree with the notion of divine justice. Edmund is the exception to this rule; he is prompted to reject divine justice as a result of the presence of evil (and therefore, injustice) in his …show more content…
He acknowledges his position as the illegitimate son, consequently rejecting the notion of divine justice. Had divine justice played out, Edmund’s parents would have been married and Edmund would not face frequent insults. Edmund enforces this point each time he mentions his illegitimacy, crying out, “Why bastard?. . . Wherefore base?” (Shakespeare 42). Edmund’s self reflection regarding his illegitimacy demonstrates the impact being a “bastard” has had on his life. Edmund’s existence is the result of the work of humans, as he was conceived by his father and mother. His conception is especially indicative of human nature due to the fact that his parents were not married. The culture in which the play is set (Elizabethan-era Britain) was highly religious and condemned pre-marital sex, viewing it as a sin, something which can only be committed by humans (Yoshino). The stigma attached to such “illegitimate” relationships was transferred to the children birthed, as evidenced by the ridiculing Edmund faced. This situation resulted purely from the actions of people. His mother and father conceived him, and his father, as well as other characters throughout the text insult him due to his “illegitimate” conception. On the contrary, the conception of a legitimate child during the Elizabethan era was seen as a blessing from God (Hudson). If Edmund‘s parents had been married and therefore approved by
In King Lear by William Shakespeare, injustices are frequently inflicted upon Edmund. The lack of equity in Edmund’s life perpetuates his rejection of divine justice, which states that good always triumphs evil. Edmund’s refusal to believe in divine justice ultimately leads to acts of injustice on his part. The audience’s first exposure to Edmund is a notification of the injustice of his situation. As the play proceeds, it is still apparent that Edmund is inflicted with injustices, despite the malicious schemes he develops. The reader becomes aware of Edmund’s strong disapproval of divine justice. His unjust actions result from his rejection of the notion that good triumphs evil. This is reflective of the overall inequality …show more content…
Therefore, all that is good is just and vice versa. This is evidenced by Cordelia, who is portrayed by Shakespeare as both kind and just (Shakespeare 240.) Likewise, badness is correlated with injustice. Although many of the characters commit arguably unjust acts, Edmund is a much more frequent perpetrator and commits his acts on a larger scale. Therefore, Edmund is the only denier of divine justice in the text. Edmund’s acts of injustice stem from the injustices that he himself faces. He utilizes this disapproval to justify his wrong-doings. Overall, Edmund’s position of inequality eggs on Edmund’s disbelief in divine justice.
The concept of divine justice is widely accepted among the characters as well as the audience, as was the norm among Elizabethan era British. Church leaders preached that Christians should not “be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Moule.) Christianity was the overwhelming religion during the early 1600’s during which the play is set (Religion). Therefore, the majority of the characters agree with the notion of divine justice. Edmund is the exception to this rule; he is prompted to reject divine justice as a result of the presence of evil (and therefore, injustice) in his …show more content…
He acknowledges his position as the illegitimate son, consequently rejecting the notion of divine justice. Had divine justice played out, Edmund’s parents would have been married and Edmund would not face frequent insults. Edmund enforces this point each time he mentions his illegitimacy, crying out, “Why bastard?. . . Wherefore base?” (Shakespeare 42). Edmund’s self reflection regarding his illegitimacy demonstrates the impact being a “bastard” has had on his life. Edmund’s existence is the result of the work of humans, as he was conceived by his father and mother. His conception is especially indicative of human nature due to the fact that his parents were not married. The culture in which the play is set (Elizabethan-era Britain) was highly religious and condemned pre-marital sex, viewing it as a sin, something which can only be committed by humans (Yoshino). The stigma attached to such “illegitimate” relationships was transferred to the children birthed, as evidenced by the ridiculing Edmund faced. This situation resulted purely from the actions of people. His mother and father conceived him, and his father, as well as other characters throughout the text insult him due to his “illegitimate” conception. On the contrary, the conception of a legitimate child during the Elizabethan era was seen as a blessing from God (Hudson). If Edmund‘s parents had been married and therefore approved by