In King Lear by William Shakespeare, a theme that is seen in several characters is madness. Madness in Elizabethan times was a complex state of mind commonly associated with beggars, called Tom O' Bedlam. Edgar, the Duke of Gloucester's eldest son is shown going from a respectable nobleman to a Poor Tom. Edgar is thrust into this sudden change of character after his brother, Edmund, accuses him of being a traitor to their father. Edmund instills fear in Edgar by saying he should fear for his life, causing Edgar to transform. Edgar is not actually mad when he is disguised; however, he plays off of other characters, acting as a madman. While in his Poor Tom state, Edgar learns the value of being a 'natural' man and in addition valuing his privilege of inheritance. These realizations therefore help him out of his 'madness.' At the end of the play, Edgar is a transformed character because of the adjustment he has gone through.
             Edgar is a respectable character when we first meet him in the play. Since he is the oldest son of Gloucester, he will inherit all of his father's possessions when Gloucester dies. Edgar neither abuses or acknowledges this privilege; he simply takes it as part of his role in the family. When Edmund frames Edgar for betraying their father, he becomes fearful and flees from his troubles. By running away, he has a chance to survive, a chance to start over and escape his tainted identity. When deciding to become a Poor Tom, Edgar states, " 'Poor Turlygod! Poor Tom!'/That's something yet: Edgar I nothing am." (II, IV,20) From then on Edgar is disguised as a Poor Tom in rags and dirt, speaking and acting as a madman.
             While acting as Poor Tom, Edgar interacts with Lear and other characters, with they all believing that he is nothing more than a poor beggar. We see Edgar more and more as Lear becomes mad, and he somewhat r
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