Class-Distinct Bodies in the Social Space of William Shakespeare’s King Lear Sharon Patricia Kandou Student, Department of English, Faculty of Arts, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, Sumedang, West Java Indonesia E-mail: spkandou@gmail.com One of the themes displayed in the tragic play King Lear written by William Shakespeare is that of the issues within the society which, as every other literary work, revolves around power and class. This essay narrows down the many themes that the play puts on view specifically into the problems concerning illegitimate family hierarchy in governing authorities, the conditions of the society’s different classes, and dependency of a ruler on a large number of others in maintaining power and sovereignity. Both of the fathers King Lear and Earl of Gloucester embark on each of their journeys in the story with their children as having important control – King Lear by his daughters Goneril and Regan (and less by Cordelia) and Earl of Gloucester by his sons Edmund (and less by Edgar). Edmund in particular is described by his father as being a “knave” who “came something saucily into the world before he was sent for... and the whoreson must be acknowledged” (I. 1. 21-22, 24). Later on in the text it is found that throughout the story, “illegitimate” son Edmund tries to get rid of his elder brother Edgar, contrastingly legitimate son of Earl of Gloucester, so that he can inherit their father’s wealth or, as Eskew puts it, Edmund tries to gain “retributive justice in going from ‘base’ bastard to the ‘top’ of the monarchy” (2010). Edmund basically forsakes his status as “illegitimate” and is determined to fulfil his drive in earning the heritage that he does not technically deserve. As he introduces the spectators about the letter that he will use to to betray Edgar, he points out: ...fine word, – legitimate! Well, my legitimate [Edgar], if this letter speed, And my intention thrive, Edmund the base 1