Act II King Lear Post II

3. If you chose to do question 1 (or even if you didn’t), it is interesting to consider Edgar’s state of mind when he takes on the persona of Tom O’Bedlam. Certainly, he is trying to disguise himself, but this is an extreme disguise indeed. Consider why he chose this particular disguise. What would drive him to this? Again, you can do this as a mini-essay, but it might be more interesting and more informative to write from Edgar’s perspective. Do whatever comes most naturally to you, but don’t write to fill space—be thoughtful.

For one thing, all the people out searching are looking for a fleeing nobleman, not a nutcase beggar. In extremity lies safety- it decreases the chance that anyone will recognize him. Additionally, since Tom O’Bedlam is insane, there is no risk that he will accidentally do something out of character for his chosen disguise. Anything odd about him will simply be attributed to the fact that he’s crazy. Also, ‘Poor Tom’ is a wanderer- Edgar doesn’t have to try to blend into a town or village or anything where he would have to interact with a lot of other people and explain how he got there and what he is doing. In his disguise, he can also figure out what is going on concerning the search for him by wandering around in plain sight.

(note: I have read all the play, so I am going to talk about it because I forget where exactly Act II ends. sorry.) Edgar’s motives probably have nothing more beyond that, but Edgar’s choice of disguise has literary symbolism within the play. (or maybe not symbolism, but interesting whatever). Later in the play, he is with mad King Lear and his pretended madness compares to Lear’s real insanity. This is especially interesting since Edgar survives at the end and reclaims his name and honour, whereas Lear dies crazy. For all that Edgar is tricked by Edmund’s not-so-sneaky manipulation, he takes control of his destiny after he flees- choosing an apt disguise, attempting to save his father and then living (a great feat in Shakespeare’s tragedies). Lear on the other hand, after willingly giving up power, loses control of everything and dies. Miserably. I have no idea if you’re actually supposed to compare Edgar with his fake crazy to Lear with his real crazy, but it just seems interesting.