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In Shakespeare's King Lear, Edmund, the illegitimate sone of Gloucester, plans to attain a piece of the land by causing ill feelings between Gloucester and his legitimate son, Edgar. In his monologue at the beginning of Act 1, scene ii, Edmund ....

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... toward his brother and other legitimate children. The word "legitimate" means authentic or genuine and its tone is usually considered to be positive. In this case, however, Edmund uses the word "legitimate" sarcastically when saying, "well, my legitimate," since he does not mean it in a positive way. Again he mentions legitimate negatively saying that he, the base, shall top the legitimate meaning that one day he will exceed his brother. This sarcasm shows the bitterness with which Edmund views all legitimate children. Another way of showing bitterness, which has almost the same effect as sarcasm, is ridiculing. Edmund feels that marrie ...