Although both are aware that fate does not control their actions, they handle misfortune differently. When Edmund encounters misfortune he is inclined to protest. In the lines “how hurtful is my fortune, that I must repent to be just?”, Edmund asks a rhetorical question (Shakespeare 117). His choice to use a rhetorical question shows his awareness of his misfortune. His lack of action to resolve the problem, however, shows that he is satisfied with the actions he takes. Edmund later does the same thing when he notices Edgar with more luck. He asks, “But who are you / that you have this luck on me?” to Edgar (Shakespeare 185). Once again he uses a rhetorical question to comment on his lack of luck. When he is "lucky", he does nothing but retort about it. Edgar on the other hand, when he abandons everything to escape the law, comments "the basest and most dejected thing of fortune/Stands still in hope, [...] the worst returns to laughter" (Shakespeare 129). His words show that he has an optimistic view of misfortune and believes he can still change it. Once again they differ in their attitude towards