Deception In King Lear

King Lear Essay Deception is a horrible act, In most circumstances it breaks trust, ruins relationships and causes chaos between loved ones. Whats even worse than deception is betrayal, which is sometimes when someone realises they have been deceived and then feel that they are betrayed. The tragedy “King Lear”, by William Shakespeare, describes how deception and betrayal are portrayed in the play by commenting on family relationships crumbling to pieces , loyalty being disregarded and the high status of women being abused for dishonorable purposes.

Family is usually closer to each other rather than other people, but in the case of “King Lear”, by William Shakespeare, it is shown that family relationships lead to deception

Yet she wants to have all the power and leave her father an old powerless man. Then Regan spoke after Goneril and said: “And find I am alone felicitate In your dear highness' love.” [1.1.68-75]. Regan also has the same wicked intentions as her sister Goneril. This proves that Goneril and Regan claimed love their father, but later on in scene one the readers find out otherwise, when the two sisters were discovered to be deceiving their father just to take control over the land. Furthermore, deception and betrayal causes family relationships to crumble, this was shown in the play when King Lear’s two daughters, were speaking to one another, Regan said to Goneril:“ 'Tis the infirmity of his age. Yet he hath ever but slenderly known himself.” [1.1.300-312]. Goneril to Regan: “We must do something, and i' th' heat.” [1.1.302-313]. This shows how Regan and Goneril are insulting their father, the king, right after he gave them all

In the play “King Lear”, William Shakespeare uses a loyal character, kent, to deceive his king and betray his decision to banish kent from his kingdom. Kent says:“If but as well I other accents borrow, That can my speech diffuse, my good intent May carry through itself to that full issue For which I razed my likeness. Now, banished Kent, If thou canst serve where thou dost stand condemned, So may it come thy master, whom thou lovest, Shall find thee full of labors” [1.4.1-7]. Kent describes how he will serve the king in disguise because he cares for Lear and is loyal to Lear. Deception was shown through kent because he was very loyal to his king and friend lear, he wanted to protect him no matter the cost. Even if it meant disguising himself and betraying the king’s order to be banished from the king’s kingdom. Furthermore, Goneril’s steward Oswald is loyal to her and is a willing accomplice. Oswald aided Goneril in her betrayus and deceiving acts towards the king and kingdom. This was conveyed when Goneril was speaking to Oswald alone, Goneril said: “Idle old man That still would manage those authorities That he hath given away! Now by my life,Old fools are babes again and must be used With checks as flatteries, when they are seen abused.” [1.3.19-21]. And then Oswald replied “Very well, madam.” [1.3.23]. This goes to show that Oswald is loyal and would not disobey