Appearance and reality in King Lear

The theme of appearance versus reality is a reoccurring one throughout the play of
King Lear by William Shakespeare. As Shakespeare demonstrates, nothing is as it
seams. There is an evident difference between reality as opposed to appearance.
Reality is what is, as opposed to what seams to be. Appearance is a reflection of what
is observed, it is an image or interpretation. 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 present
themselves falsely, either to gain an advantage, or to reveal truth; Goneril and Regan,
Edmund, and The Fool. These characters's appear to be what, without a doubt, they
are not.

Goneril and Regan first appear to Lear as loving daughters. In reality, they are selfish
daughters who deceive their father for their own personal gain. They both trick Lear
into believing they love him the most, when in reality it is Cordelia who loves Lear,
virtuously, the most. It does not occur to Lear that Goneril and Regan may be
exaggerating, or that their profession might be co

Lastly, we have the Fool who appears to be a dumb, foolish, jester. In reality, the Fool
is very wise. He serves as Lear's inner conscience throughout the play. His role is as a
tutor to Lear. The Fool knows all of Lear's faults and he tries to offer Lear insight and
reveal truth. Throughout the play, the Fool observes the disorder that Lear has not
only caused to himself but also to his entire kingdom, while constant references made
by him sarcastically indicate Lear's foolishness. The Fool tries to help Lear feel better
about what is going on by putting a humorous spin on the words he is saying. The
Fool uses poetry and song to get his point across to Lear. He helps Lear realize where
he went wrong, he reveals truth to Lear. "She will taste as like this as a crab does to a
crab." (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 18, the Fool). This little verse reveals truth to Lear,
telling him that if he thinks that Regan is unlike Goneril, he is wrong. The Fool
indicates that Regan's nature will be no different from Goneril's. The Fool is partially
comparable to Cordelia, in that he is a truth-teller like her and is firmly obedient to
Lear. The Fool is not just a servant to Lear but he is also a friend and the son Lear
never had. The name "Fool" means nothing. The Fool is the most

Edmund appears to all as a fine young gentleman who is loyal and brave. In reality,
Edmund is a cunning, devious, opportunist who will stop at nothing to please himself.
Gloucester and many others are tricked by Edmund's appearance. What Gloucester
does not see or refuse to see, is the hatred Edmund has for him because of his cavalier
treatment of him. Edmund wants all control of Gloucester's money and power.
Edmund fools both Edgar and Gloucester, destroying both their characters. Edmund
turns them against each other, causing chaos and destruction in the natural universe