Edmund As An Outsider Essay

Some of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters are insiders who become outsiders in both a figurative and a literal sense; these characters struggle to find their place in society. Edmund an unwanted illegitimate son and Iago a foreigner are exceptions and are accepted in their community, but they are driven by their desire for evil, as a result of their second-class status. Although they are well integrated and accepted by respected characters they become obsessed with their hatred and their desire for revenge, hate, and greed, lead them to create mayhem. Both Iago and Edmund would ultimately become outsiders as a result of their own actions.
In the opening act of the play Gloucester starts off by labeling his son Edmund as outsider he focuses on the embarrassing circumstance of his birth and tries to dismiss him, ‘He hath been out nine years, and away he shall again’ (1.1.30-1) these lines provides one with the sense that Edmund was literally and figurative an outsider.

Edmund is not only a villainous character but also an intelligent one; with a deeper examination into his personality it is clear that he has other motivations for his actions outside of his initial purposes.

Edmund believes that his educational exile from the familiar boundaries was an exclusion from the warm family that Edgar had the privilege of being with. Edmund realizes this discrimination and attributes it to him being the bastard son. Edmund is driven by his desire to be an insider. He earned his way inside by gaining the trust of his brother, father and everyone who he ultimately betraying. Gloucester though he claims to love both sons equally does not grant Edmund an inheritance until Edmund tricks him into disinheriting Edgar. Also known, as the “bastard” son seemed very much like an outsider at the beginning of the play when he is rejected and the inherence is given to his brother

Edgar.
Iago is only Othello’s subordinate and has been denied the favored place of lieutenant by contrast to Cassio, who has more education and higher status.

Iago is on outsiders who successfully manipulate some of the insiders.

When Iago speaks of belonging to a group it is more precisely the group of those who ostensibly have masters, yet ‘throwing but shows of service on their lords/ Do well thrive by’ em’ (1.153-4) its like the community of imaginary bastards Edmund invoked in Lear.
Iago speaks in both dialogue and in soliloquies as if with insider knowledge about what is really happening