Deception In King Lear By William Shakespeare

Later on in the play, the two end up forcing Lear to give up his soldiers. By doing this, they strip Lear of his remaining power. In another part of the play, more deception takes place in the form of Edmund, Gloucester’s bastard son. Edmund wants to inherit Gloucester’s title and goods, however, his birth ensures that everything goes to Edgar. He states “ if this letter speed And my invention thrive, Edmund the base Shall top the legitimate” (1.2). To take care of this issue, he forges a letter from his brother, Edgar, talking about how he wants to kill Gloucester. Edmund also plays his brother who he tells to run before his father catches him. After Edgar flees, Edmund cuts himself saying that Edgar tried to kill him during his confrontation.
Once he believes that Edgar is going to be taken care of, he enlists the help of Regan and Goneril as he vows to get rid of Gloucester. During their plot to get rid of him, Regan and Goneril enrage Lear to the point that he runs away during a storm. They make sure he can’t come back stating “Shut up your doors” (2.4). As Gloucester, who has remained devoted to Lear leaves to assist him and convince him to come back, Edmund convinces Regan and Goneril that he has committed treason. This results in Regan’s husband, the Duke of Cornwall, being killed by a servant after pulling Gloucester’s eyes out. Deception is not only found within the “evil” characters but even in the “good” characters. After being blinded, Gloucester is found by Edgar who poses as a crazy homeless man. Gloucester asks Edgar to take him to a cliff so that he can end himself. Edgar deceives him by leading him to a flat area. He states Come on sir; here’s the place: stand still. How fearful And dizzy ‘t is to cast one’s eyes so low” (4.6). It is here that the deception is fueled by good intentions. This provides proof that not all the intent in Shakespeare's plays have a negative