Edgar: Mad and Sane In King Lear by William Shakespeare, a theme that is seen in several characters is madness. Madness in Elizabethan times was a complex state of mind commonly associated with beggars, called Tom O’ Bedlam. Edgar, the Duke of Gloucester’s eldest son is shown going from a respectable nobleman to a Poor Tom. Edgar is thrust into this sudden change of character after his brother, Edmund, accuses him of being a …showed first 75 words of 555 total…

…showed last 75 words of 555 total…III, IV, 85-88) He also learns the miseries of his father while taking care of him after Gloucester as blinded, “ How have you known the miseries of your father?/ By nursing them, my lord...The bloody proclamation to escape.” (V, III, 170) Edgar is referring to Edmund’s treason in the bloody proclamation. In addition, he learns that being true to oneself and to others is the hallowed way to lead one’s life. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**