“Through opposition to the established order, the malcontent acquires the role of cynical commentator and judge of a society to which he does not entirely belong.”
In light of Brooke’s assertion, to what extent do you agree that Shakespeare and Marlowe use the figure of the malcontent to comment upon society?
A malcontent is described as being a “disruptive” and “anarchic” (Brook: 67) character. Both Shakespeare and Marlowe use malcontents, each with an inauspicious start to life, to comment upon society in their plays. Shakespeare uses the character of Edmund in King Lear to do this and Marlowe makes use of the character of Faustus in Doctor Faustus. Both these characters have comparable goals, such as the want for power and recognition, plus the determination to gain this at any cost; furthermore, both Edmund and Faustus try to repent in the conclusions of the plays. Alternatively, they have contrasting motivations; Faustus is seeking knowledge and attention, whereas Edmund is in search of love and respect from his family and the rest of society.
The malcontent is depicted by Brooke as being a “failure…striving for temporal power and satisfaction.” (Brooke: 42) This is clear with Faustus and Edmund as both resent those who are said to be higher and wiser than most. Edmund strives to gain the power that is currently in the hands of Kings Lear because he feels that he would be more capable in this role. As Lear’s ability to rule his kingdom crumbles, Edmund takes advantage of this to manipulate Lear’s two eldest daughters, Goneril and Regan. Since the two sisters were plotting against their own father, Edmund wants to have the prospect of marrying one of them so that he can “top the legitimate.” (Shakespeare, 2007: 1, 2, 354) Faustus also strives to obtain ultimate power, however unlike Edmund, it is not in order to climb the ranks of his family, but instead to be in control of much more than what Edmund is asking for. Faustus states that “all things that...