Deception in King LearIn King Lear, the characters constantly deceive themselves. Most of them deliberately misrepresent themselves, but others are understandably difficult to understand. Some try to gain power while others protect themselves. There is an extreme contrast between reality and what each character appears to the other characters. This quality of the characters fuels the plot, bringing it to its ultimate end. The Fool is ironically different from its title. While the fool is usually a fool, Lear's fool seems to understand the political situation better than the king himself. His jokes and songs seem aimed at teaching Lear about the mistakes he has made rather than making him laugh. He declares in song that Kent and the king might be able to take over his job, because they are acting like better fools than he is. He criticizes Lear for being old before becoming wise. The Fool displays a deep understanding of corruption. His speech at night "to refresh a courtesan" represents priests who do not follow their own sermons and nobles who serve their servants. Unlike a fool, the Fool understands the complexity of the politics unfolding in the play. When Kent is disguised, only his physical appearance is false. Unlike the other characters who wear disguises, he does not change his actions to deceive Lear. Just as he was before Lear banished him, Kent is a faithful servant. Disguised as Caius, he is ready to follow the king in his ordeal. Kent remains a devoted servant, despite his clothes. It seems to Lear that Kent is gone and has a new confidant. However, the reality is that Kent never really left him. King's main conflict...... middle of paper ...... in strength alone. Gloucester thinks that Edgar is a peasant instead of the "Poor Tom" who led him to the cliff. Just before the battle, Edgar gives Goneril's letter to Albany to save him from his deception. Edgar doesn't reveal himself until the very end. He spent most of the play pretending to be someone else. Each of the characters seems to be something else. If all the sisters had told the truth, then the play would not be able to progress, so there is something that each main character must understand. Lear must learn the true nature of his daughters and know that a good king will not let his people live in terrible conditions when he has superb ones. Gloucester must learn loyalty and Edgar must discover his brother's deceptions. Once the characters recognize something they did not understand before, the tragedy of King Lear is over..