King Lear

How does an individual's surroundings and circumstances alter his perceptions? 


In King Lear, both the Edgar and Lear undergo dramatic alterations in their personas, directly influencing their worldly perceptions. Edgar, who was betrayed by his brother Edmund, took on the character of Poor Tom. This transformation caused him to view things in an entirely different manner. Like Lear and Shakespeare's Hamlet, as Edgar hides behind insanity, his comments become more astute and philosophical, taking on double meanings and adding important significance to the theme and plot of the play. As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, "their must be a method to this madness." Lear, on the other hand, underwent a compete personality change. In the beginning of the play, he begs for his daughter's affection, threatening to repeal their inheritance if they didn't apply. Similarly, he refused to accept the fact that Goneril and Regan were betraying him, becoming blind to the truth. Near the culmination of the plot, Lear states "through tattered clothes small vices do appear; robes and fur gowns hide all." Lear realizes that the gilded personality he held in the past is immoral and unjust to his constituents. In this way, both Lear and Edgar's perceptions were altered by the tragic events of the play.