The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines value (n.) as a person's position or status with respect to property. On the other hand, value is also defined as a person's character or position with respect to their moral or intellectual qualities; especially. high personal merits or achievements. Today, it is much more respectable to have moral value or self-esteem than material value. People are valued more in society because they are upright and honest. However, in Shakespearean times, it seems that society placed material wealth ahead of moral righteousness. This distorted value system is particularly prevalent in Shakespeare's King Lear. It is clear that the characters value their peers and themselves based on their possessions and wealth rather than their personality. Furthermore, it is the twisted perception of the worth of the characters and the devaluation of what is called “uselessness” or “nothingness” that fuels the central plot and conflicts present in King Lear. Regan, Goneril, Edmund, and Lear himself all believe in the value of material wealth and are ultimately consumed by their superficiality. In contrast, characters like the Fool are worthless in terms of wealth, but are actually the wisest and most admirable. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original EssayThe first time we see "value" is Lear's inability to understand the concept of value and its connection to love. In the opening scene of the play, Regan, Goneril, and Lear all equate love with earth. They all feel that love must be rewarded and that more love equals more wealth. In Act I, Scene I, Regan says, “I am made of this courage of my sister, and I appreciate its worth” (lines 69-70). Here, Regan insinuates that she is Goneril's equal and therefore should receive an equal amount of land. This idea that love should be rewarded with earth is perhaps most prominent in Lear's treatment of Cornelia. Unlike her sisters, Cornelia fails to satisfy Lear's ego and claims that she loves everyone equally, responding "nothing" when asked to describe her love for Lear (Act 1, scene 1, lines 86-90). Heartbroken and embarrassed, Lear hastens to “deny all [his] paternal care, his nearness and his ownership of blood” (Act I, scene I, lines 114-115). Lear's hostility toward Cornelia illustrates his sad ignorance and misconception of value as a means of rewarding flattery and deception. Likewise, the actions of Regan and Goneril show that material wealth is valued more than righteousness and virtue. When tempted by land and wealth, Regan and Goneril do not hesitate to abandon their moral standards, succumbing to lies and brown-nosing. Lear's rash decisions, caused by his distorted idea of ​​value, result in the abandonment of his lands to his two deceptive daughters and the ultimate demise of Cornelia. Like Regan, Goneril, and Lear, Edmund is also consumed by the idea of ​​superficial value. Not only is Edmund the second son, but he is also the product of an illegitimate birth. Thus, Edmund is the butt of Gloucester's jokes and does not have the chance to inherit the kingdom of Gloucester. In fact, Gloucester is so ashamed of Edmund that he does not even grant him the privilege of living in the kingdom. Edmund “has been gone for nine years, and he will return” (Act I, scene I, lines 31-32). Gloucester's constant harassment, coupled with Edmund's realization of his uselessness, fuels the.