Edmund bemoans the fact that since he is illegitimate, he will not inherit his father's lands, while his legitimate brother Edgar will inherit everything. Edmund has a scheme in mind to cause his father to disinherit Edgar so that Edmund can get all the lands.
Gloucester enters, fretting about the king's actions in giving away his lands and disinheriting Cordelia. Edmund quickly hides a letter that he's been reading, and when Gloucester asks about it, Edmund pretends to be reluctant to reveal it. Edmund does reveal the letter, which is supposedly from his brother Edgar. The letter says that the older generation should give up their riches to the younger men and contains a veiled threat by Edgar toward his father. Gloucester is horrified that Edgar might write such a thing. Edmund.....
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