king lear Appearance vs reality examples 
King Lear Act 2: Appearance Vs reality
Throughout act 2 Edmund portrays the theme of appearance versus reality. He appears to everyone as the caring, loyal son of Glouster, and a loving brother to Edgar, however he is really a cunning, mischievous human being. Edmund shows that he only cares about himself and his needs through the following lines:
“With his prepared sword he charges home
My unproved body, latched mine arm.
And when he saw my best alarumed spirits,
Bold in the quarrel’s right, roused to the encounter,
Or whether ghasted by the noise I made,
Full suddenly he fled." (Act1, scene1, L66-66)
These lines prove to the audience, that Edmund is making a fool out of his father and brother, by explaining this artificial scenario about his brother, Edgar stabbing his arms. This leads his father to believe that Edgar is the villain. These lines show the character development of Edmund, and bring out his double personality. He acts as if he is loyal and informative to his father, meanwhile he is betraying him. The theme of appearance versus reality in this act is also seen by the two oldest sisters Goneril and Regan. It is only until Lear experiences double refusal of accommodation quest from Goneril and Regan in act 2 that he begins to see a fragment of reality, the true nature of two of his seemingly charming daughters.
“The injuries that they themselves procure
Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors:
He is attended with a desperate train;
And what they may incense him to, being apt
To have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear.” (Regan, Act 1, scene 1, L300-305)
Prior to this act, it was thought that Regan cared so much for her father; she acted like she cared for him more than anybody else in the world, but these lines show her real self. She is leaving her father outside in the storm knowing of his enraged state of mind, and making people believe that she is “teaching him a lesson” by doing what’s good for
Throughout act 2 Edmund portrays the theme of appearance versus reality. He appears to everyone as the caring, loyal son of Glouster, and a loving brother to Edgar, however he is really a cunning, mischievous human being. Edmund shows that he only cares about himself and his needs through the following lines:
“With his prepared sword he charges home
My unproved body, latched mine arm.
And when he saw my best alarumed spirits,
Bold in the quarrel’s right, roused to the encounter,
Or whether ghasted by the noise I made,
Full suddenly he fled." (Act1, scene1, L66-66)
These lines prove to the audience, that Edmund is making a fool out of his father and brother, by explaining this artificial scenario about his brother, Edgar stabbing his arms. This leads his father to believe that Edgar is the villain. These lines show the character development of Edmund, and bring out his double personality. He acts as if he is loyal and informative to his father, meanwhile he is betraying him. The theme of appearance versus reality in this act is also seen by the two oldest sisters Goneril and Regan. It is only until Lear experiences double refusal of accommodation quest from Goneril and Regan in act 2 that he begins to see a fragment of reality, the true nature of two of his seemingly charming daughters.
“The injuries that they themselves procure
Must be their schoolmasters. Shut up your doors:
He is attended with a desperate train;
And what they may incense him to, being apt
To have his ear abused, wisdom bids fear.” (Regan, Act 1, scene 1, L300-305)
Prior to this act, it was thought that Regan cared so much for her father; she acted like she cared for him more than anybody else in the world, but these lines show her real self. She is leaving her father outside in the storm knowing of his enraged state of mind, and making people believe that she is “teaching him a lesson” by doing what’s good for