The theme of appearance versus reality is reoccurring throughout the play of King Lear by William Shakespeare. There is an evident contrast between reality as opposed to appearance. Reality is the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to appearance to be an idealistic or notional idea of them. Appearance is an imagination, while reality is an actual existence. In King Lear there are many characters that appear to be, what in reality, they are not. Since one cannot see into another 's character, you can never identify someone for who they truly are. The following characters are victims to appearance versus reality or present themselves falsely; King Lear 's two oldest sisters, Gloucester, and The Fool. These Characters
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The sisters reveal their love and affection to their father through their deceiving words and convinced him they do indeed love him so he would share his wealth with them. Goneril stated to her father in the quote, "Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter; Dearer than eyesight, space and liberty; beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; no less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor; as much child e 'er, or father found; A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable. Beyond all matter of much so I love you."(Act 1.Scene 1.56-52) In this quotation, Goneril expresses her love to her father by telling him she loves him more than words can describe. Goneril being as conniving as she is, did not mean any of the words she had said. Regan also does the same by professing her love to her father and also not meaning any of it. The appearance of the two sisters supposedly loving their father is all a act for Lear 's wealth, in reality the sisters do not love their father as much as they say they …show more content…
His personality discards his ability to see the goodness in Edgar, and the evil in Edmund. Although Edgar was an attentive and loving son, Gloucester decides to disown him. Gloucester begins to perceive Edgar as not trustful son, this appearance of Edgar commences when Edmund persuades him with a forged letter that states Edgar is plotting to kill him, "I beseech you, sir, pardon me: it is a letter from my brother, that I have not all o 'er-read; and for so much as I have perused, I find it not fit for your o 'er-looking" (Act 1, Scene 2.38-41). Gloucester 's lack of knowledge of reality restricts him from pondering the idea of Edmund being after his earldom. Near the end of the play, Gloucester gets back into reality and realizes that Edgar saved his life, disguised as Poor Tom, and loved him all along. His well-known line, "I stumbled when I saw" (Act IV, Scene I, 20-21), is ironic. Gloucester 's powerlessness to see the realities of his sons occurs when he has his physical sight, but is mentally blind. Whereas, his ability to see the real nature of his sons presents itself after having his eyes plucked out by the Duke of Cornwall. Fortunately, the consequences of Gloucester 's blindness throughout the play, are
The sisters reveal their love and affection to their father through their deceiving words and convinced him they do indeed love him so he would share his wealth with them. Goneril stated to her father in the quote, "Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter; Dearer than eyesight, space and liberty; beyond what can be valued, rich or rare; no less than life, with grace, health, beauty, honor; as much child e 'er, or father found; A love that makes breath poor, and speech unable. Beyond all matter of much so I love you."(Act 1.Scene 1.56-52) In this quotation, Goneril expresses her love to her father by telling him she loves him more than words can describe. Goneril being as conniving as she is, did not mean any of the words she had said. Regan also does the same by professing her love to her father and also not meaning any of it. The appearance of the two sisters supposedly loving their father is all a act for Lear 's wealth, in reality the sisters do not love their father as much as they say they …show more content…
His personality discards his ability to see the goodness in Edgar, and the evil in Edmund. Although Edgar was an attentive and loving son, Gloucester decides to disown him. Gloucester begins to perceive Edgar as not trustful son, this appearance of Edgar commences when Edmund persuades him with a forged letter that states Edgar is plotting to kill him, "I beseech you, sir, pardon me: it is a letter from my brother, that I have not all o 'er-read; and for so much as I have perused, I find it not fit for your o 'er-looking" (Act 1, Scene 2.38-41). Gloucester 's lack of knowledge of reality restricts him from pondering the idea of Edmund being after his earldom. Near the end of the play, Gloucester gets back into reality and realizes that Edgar saved his life, disguised as Poor Tom, and loved him all along. His well-known line, "I stumbled when I saw" (Act IV, Scene I, 20-21), is ironic. Gloucester 's powerlessness to see the realities of his sons occurs when he has his physical sight, but is mentally blind. Whereas, his ability to see the real nature of his sons presents itself after having his eyes plucked out by the Duke of Cornwall. Fortunately, the consequences of Gloucester 's blindness throughout the play, are