These lines are from Shakespeare’s play King Lear in which Edmund deliver these lines to express his dissatisfaction with the society’s attitude towards illegitimate sons.
Explanation:
He bitterly resents his own half-brother, Edgar who is deemed legitimate by his father and stands as a sole contender to inheritance. Therefore, Edmund is determined to seize those privileges which are to be given to Edgar and tricks his father Gloucester by making him believe that Edgar is plotting against the king. Edmund is deprived of any respect of rank in the kingdom because of his illegitimate birth and thus forges himself into personal prosperity by betraying his father. He explains his sentiments of betrayal when he says “Wherefore should I
Stand in the plague of custom and permit The curiosity of nations to deprive me”. He is determined to attacks the plague of customs and is not permitting the society to deprive him of his right to inheritance. He is set to take to back the reputation and familial love that he has been denied since birth and is thoughtful of any means necessary to gain recognition.
