King Lear: Act 2 Q. 3

Act 2
Question 3:
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.

Edger decides to change his appearance to look like Tom O’Bedlam because he is still loyal to his father. When Edger returns to Gloucester’s castle and see’s Lear’s servant, Kent in the stocks, Edger realizes something is still very wrong. Edger recognizes Edmund is still out to get revenge and understands he is out to get his dad. His motivation to dress like Tom is his want to remain loyal to his dad. However, he doesn’t fully understand what Edmund is doing which is why he can’t simply march back into the castle.

Also because Edger has been kicked out, he realizes no one, particularly Lear and Gloucester, is going to be willing to listen to him. If he goes into Gloucester’s castle, he is likely to be attacked because of Edmund’s accusations. They aren’t going to wait for an explanation of what was going on.

Edger instead opts to rub mud over himself to make him look like Tom O’Bedlam. This choice of disguise is significant for a couple of reasons. For one, Bedlam is a reference to describe a confused, chaotic situation. But more importantly, Bedlam was the title of an insane asylum in England. Edger chooses to disguise himself as this character because no one will question a crazy-looking person. It will also show his confused state of mind – no thanks to Edmund.

It’s very interesting to see the ‘good’ characters getting casted out of their homes. Edmund arguably hasn’t had much bad done to Edger however he still gets to stay. This is similar to Kent and even Cordelia, who is banished from England for telling her father the truth about her feelings. The theme of good versus evil becomes very prevalent throughout the novel.