The Qualities Of Edgar's Suffering

Suffering can often allow individuals to develop advantageous characteristics. These traits can prove to be very useful as people work to put an end to their miseries. Being the only legitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, Edgar is destined for a respectable amount of wealth and power. However, his timid nature allows his half-brother to easily undermine his position and push him out of Gloucester's favour. In order to escape capture, Edgar disguises himself as a mentally-ill beggar and says: "Poor Turlygod! Poor Tom! / That's something yet! Edgar I nothing am" (2.3.20-21). Edgar admits that he has lost everything because of his wrongful conviction and that a mere beggar has more potential than he does. He undergoes a depressing transition