Edmund's Deceptions

In Act II of King Lear by William Shakespeare, Edmund continues his journey of deception. The reason for Edmund's deceit is because he is resentful towards the other characters because he believes that he is not treated as an equal solely because he is Gloucester's illegitimate son. For this reason he is extremely resentful towards Gloucester's legitimate son, Edmand and in Act I he vowed to bring about his downfall. He begins his plot for Edmand's downfall in Act II Scene i of the play. The measures that he takes to accomplish his vengeance show a lot about his character and also the ones that he deceives.

At the beginning of the act Edmund finds out that Regan and Cornwall are coming to the castle and he sees this as a good opportunity  to begin his plan to get rid of Edgar. Edmund tricks Edgar into thinking that Cornwall is angry with him and that Gloucester has discovered where he is hiding and that he should leave immediately. This shows that Edmund is smart and that Edgar is too trusting in his illegitimate brother. It appears to Edgar that Edmund is loyal and that he is the only one left to defend him, when in reality he is the one tearing him down. This part of the play brings to light that Edgar is the good brother and Edmund the evil one.

Edgar is not the only one that Edmund deceives in act II, Gloucester, Regan and Cornwall also believe his well thought out lies. Gloucester is also easily deceived by his illegitimate son. In the first scene of act two while Edmund is talking to Edgar he sees Gloucester approaching and draws his sword on him and Edgar flees. Edmund then deceives Gloucester by telling him that Edgar was trying to convince him to join in on his plan to kill their father. Edmund says that he refused and Edgar tried to kill him. Gloucester is easily deceived by this story and becomes even more enraged towards Edgar, which is exactly the reaction Edmund was aiming for. Edmund's story telling showing exactly how cunning he is. Regan and Cornwall believe  Edmund's claim that Edgar is one of Lear's knights and that he was put up to murdering Gloucester. Edmund's deceit shows his immense immorality and his manipulation shows his true colors as a villain in the play. His deceit also reveals the how gullible the other characters are and how little trust they have in one another.