How Does Shakespeare Use Deception In King Lear

Everything is Not as It May Seem “King Lear” depicts several life lessons throughout the play that are still relevant to life today. During the play, Shakespeare emphasizes how evil some may be through acts, scenes, and characters. The lessons learned throughout the play build on top of one another, much like the problems in the play build on top of one another. The root cause to all the madness in the play stems from the multiple characters that are hungry for power. Ultimately, the characters’ flaws come to light, the bad outweighs the good, and only a few are saved from death. “King Lear” illustrates valuable life lessons throughout the play, lessons about greed, deception, and power.

One of the most prevalent lessons in “King Lear”

Many things can be learned through deception in the play. One specific life lesson that is taught through deception in “King Lear” is that even relatives will deceive other relatives to gain whatever it is they desire. Deception manifests in Act I, and continues through Act V. The first clear portrayal of deception occurs when Goneril falsely confesses her love for her father in Act I, scene I, line 51 “Sir, I love you more than words can express….” Goneril claims she loves her father more than “anything valuable,” yet she only says this so she may receive the largest inheritance. Goneril falsely proclaiming her love to her father in the beginning of the story starts the long chain of deceit that lasts to the end of the story. Goneril’s sister Regan is another deceitful character in the play. Goneril uses lying and deceit to try to fulfil her desires. Goneril and Regan lie throughout the play to benefit themselves and get the things they want. The deceitfulness in the play professes this; a person who lies and deceives others will quickly come crumbling