Deception in "King Lear"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how deception and manipulation are two strands in Shakespeare "King Lear" that are manifested in a variety of ways in different situations and with different characters. It looks at how when one character deliberately aims to deceive or manipulate another, it is done for different purposes throughout the play. It shows how the more unfavorable characters like Goneril, Regan and Edmund are prepared to use any method they can contrive to ensure they achieve what they desire and how their shrewd usage of these techniques consistently have disastrous effects for those whose their actions are inflicted upon. In contrast, it examines how there are however, other characters like Kent, who use deception and manipulation for the gratuity of others, and those, like Edgar, who are forced to deceive and manipulate, as they appear to have no other viable option.

From the Paper:

"Edmund is consistently evil throughout the play, but when in the end he becomes mortally wounded he appears to undergo a transformation, in which he attempts to redeem himself "some good I mean to do despite of mine own nature." Heeding the religious context of the play, one may think that Edmund is trying to lessen the intensities of his judgment, but this, I think is unfounded, as whenever Edmund does speaks of religion he does so only to scorn at it. The only similarity between Edmund and his brother Edgar is that they are both sons of Gloucester. While Edmund may be seen as the most evil character in the play, responsible for the deaths of the princesses, the King and the maiming of his own father, Edgar may be viewed as the most favorable."

More papers on Deception in "King Lear":

• Analytical Essay # 7406 : "King Lear"
• Analytical Essay # 33085 : "King Lear"
• Analytical Essay # 66658 : "King Lear"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: