King_Lear__The_Element_Of_Disguise

King Lear: The Element Of Disguise The play King Lear is, first of all, a play about kingship; about a trustful old king, every inch a king, who in old age brings destruction to himself, and to certain persons in his own circle, and to his country. It is a play which tears off the outer coverings. Pious and innocent-seeming people who are villainous, are revealed in their true nature, and the similar is disclosed for what it is, as it works destruction. This is done in a world in which most men are constantly seeking their own advancement, in a court which flatterers are always lurking, and in which a king should be constantly wary and constantly careful to follow the advice of such practical honest men as Kent. Within the first two acts of King Lear, the element of disguise is established. The king's two daughters, Regan and Goneril, use flattery as a disguise. They conceal their true feelings, conspiring to take over the land once they gain control of it. Goneril says, Sir, I love you more than word can weild the matter; Dearer then eyesight, space, and liberty; . . . . Beyond all manner of so much I love you. (I,I,{56-63}) Regan speaks, I am made of the same king, lear, kent, love, lear, disguise, two, very, true, regan, play, goneril, constantly, within, wear, own, old, men, kingdom, flattery, first, find, element, destruction, decieve, am, about, worth, world, works, words, word, weild, wary