Family Unit: Edward

"Edward"
Anonymous

This poem (most likely a sort of ballad), leaves some purposeful ambiguity surrounding the characters of Edward and his mother.  As for the purpose of the ambiguity, I have few ideas other than brevity; perhaps the author desired to point out how significant the actions of the two are in inferring their characters.

From the poem, the reader can infer that Edward is a noble who has killed his father for some reason.  Because Edward displays selfish tendencies, the reader can infer that the murder was done for selfish reasons.  Edward shows that he cares little about even his own family: " 'The world is large, let them beg through life, Mother, Mother, The world is large, let them beg through life, For them nevermore will I see, O.'" (Anonymous, 978).  Even though Edward's family most likely had little to do with the murder, they will pay the price for his actions.

The reader then learns that Edward's mother bears some responsibility for the death of her husband.  Even though she may have not been behind his murder, it is clear that Edward received his selfish values from his mother.  Instead of focusing on the fact that her husband is dead (which she most likely knew before interrogating Edward), she plays games with Edward.  She torments him with questions about his sword until he finally confesses.  Then, without a moment of grief, she asks how he will atone for his actions.  Additionally, she asks in what fate he will leave his estates, family, and mother.  Finally, Edward claims that she will bear the curse of hell for concentrating on possessions instead of how she can help her family.