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 moral or intellectual qualities; especially high merits or personal achievements. Today it is much more respectable to have moral worth or self-esteem than material worth. People are valued more in society because they are upright and honest. However, in Shakespearean times, it seems that society placed material wealth before moral rectitude. This distorted value system is especially 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 characters' distorted perception of value and devaluation of so-called "uselessness" or "nothingness" that drives 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 worth nothing 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 Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The first example of “value” that is seen is in Lear’s inability to understand the concept of value and how it relates to love. In the opening scene of the play, Regan, Goneril, and Lear are all seen equating love with earth. They are all under the impression that love must be rewarded and that more love is worth more wealth. In Act I, Scene I, Regan says, “I am made of that courage like my sister, and esteem myself for its worth” (lines 69-70). Here, Regan is implying that he is equal to Goneril, so he should receive an equal amount of land. This idea that love should be rewarded with land is perhaps most evident in Lear's treatment of Cornelia. Unlike her sisters, Cornelia is unable to satisfy Lear's ego and claims to love everyone equally, responding with "nothing" when asked to describe her love for Lear (Act 1 Scene 1 lines 86-90 ). Heartbroken and embarrassed, Lear is quick to "deny all [his] paternal care, nearness, and property of blood" (Act I, Scene I, lines 114-115). Lear's hostility towards Cornelia illustrates his sad ignorance and his 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 riches, Regan and Goneril are ready to abandon their moral standards, succumbing to lies and contempt. Lear's rash decisions, caused by his distorted idea of ​​value, lead to the transfer of his land to his two dishonest daughters and the final death of Cornelia. Like Regan, Goneril, and Lear, Edmund is also consumed by the idea of ​​superficial value. Not only is Edmund the second child, but he is also the result of an illegitimate birth. Therefore, Edmund is the butt of Gloucester's jokes and has no chance of inheriting anything of Gloucester's kingdom. In fact, Gloucester is so ashamed of Edmund that he doesn't even grant him the privilege of living in the kingdom. Edmund "has been gone nine years, and will go away again" (Act I, scene I, lines 31-32). Gloucester's constant harassment, combined with Edmund's awareness of his uselessness, fuels the internal hatred Edmund feels towards his father, ultimately causing him to act evil and irrationally. Unlike Regan, Goneril, Lear, and Edmund, the Fool has no wealth either.