Every situation in life has an appearance, and a reality. The appearance of a situation is usually what we want to see. Thereality, what is really going on, is not always as obvious to the observer. People who cannot penetrate through the superficialappearance of a situation will see only what they want to believe is true; often, the reality of a situation is unappealing to theperceiver. These are the circumstances surrounding the conflict that occurs in William Shakespeare's King Lear. As anaudience, you find that there is a major character flaw in the characters King Lear and the Earl of Gloucester. In the story,neither of these two men are able to establish the difference, in their minds, between what people are saying and doing, andwhat these people's true motives are behind their actions. This enables Lear and Gloucester to be betrayed by their own blood,and become isolated from those who have their interests at heart. It is the inability to differentiate between appearance andreality that causes Lear and Gloucester to fall. It seems, that in King Lear, appearance, or reputation defines character. Edgar says as much in soliliquy, when he disguiseshimself as Poor Tom. As soon as he changes out of his expensive clothing, and into his beggar drab he decides "Edgar I nothingam."(II.iii.21). Although he is still Edgar beneath his disguise, when he is encountered by his own father Gloucester and hisgodfather Lear, neither of the two recognise him. It becomes apparent that as soon as Edgar's costume changed, allperceptions of his character did as well. This same situation is paralleled when Kent, also banished, returns in disguise as Lear'sservant Caius. When Lear first sees his long time confident he asks "How Now? What art thou?"(I.iv.9). One wonders how,after forty years of service, Lear would not recognize his good servant Kent, even in disguise. With this in mind, we canconclude that Lear and Gloucester are both very quick to accep...
