What is a mask? The dictionary defines a mask as "anything that disguises or conceals." Characters in King Lear use masks throughout the play. The masks are used for two main functions: to conceal one's true plans and actions and to provide a protective disguise. Goneril, Regan, and Edmund, corrupt individuals in the play, all use masks to hide their evil and vicious intents. Goneril and Regan show their father a mask of love, while hiding their goal to obtain all of his land and power. Edmund wears many masks during the play. All of which are used to gain respect, power, and possibly love. Kent and Edgar, honorable characters in the play, also have to resort to using masks. Unlike their adversaries, however, their masks are only used to serve virtuous purposes. Kent wears a mask to keep his identity unknown so that he can serve, help and protect the King. Edgar wears different masks to protect himself and bring justice to the antagonists.

Although Goneril, Regan, and Edmund never wear an actual mask or disguise, they all hide behind metaphorical masks. Goneril is the first character in The Tragedy of King Lear to exercise this method of concealing he

Like King Lear, Gloucester is also destined for a tragic downfall due to the masks his bastard son, Edmund wears. Gloucester is the father of two sons, Edgar and Edmund. Edgar is his legitimate son, while Edgar si his misbegotten son. Edmund is jealous of his father love for his brother. He schemes against his brother, Edgar, so that he will be the heir of his father's wealth and gain his love and respect. Edmund says, "Well then, Legitimate Edgar, I must have you land . . . Edmund the base Shall [top] th' legitimate. I grow, I prosper: Now, gods, stand up for bastards" (1.2.15-6,20-2). Edmund hides his deceit behind a metaphorical mask of loyalty. He writes a letter that will make his father, Gloucester, believe that the good brother, Edgar, is planning to murder him. Edmund the shows the false letter to his father who becomes enraged and tells Edmund to seek out his brother and bring him to him. Edmund then uses his mask of loyalty on his brother and warns him of his father's rage. Edgar becomes alarmed and decides to leave and avoid his father. Edgar's leaving induces Gloucester to believe that Edgar is indeed guilty of a murderous plot.

"mask." Random House Webster's College Dictionary. New York: Random House, 1999.

Later in the play, Edmund's mask is quickly discarded. He becomes even more selfish and betrays his father to Cornwall for daring to help King Lear. Cornwall becomes very angry at Gloucester for helping Lear and promises revenge. Edmund dons his mask and acts horrified by his father's treachery. He is secretly overjoyed, and because of his father's treachery, Cornwall bestows the title Duke of Gloucester upon Edmund. This fulfills Edmund's dreams of having power and respect. His handling of masks has proved very beneficial. By pretending to be an honest and trustworthy person, he has striped his father and brother of all their wealth and power.

Bradley, A. C. Shakespearean Tragedy. Greenwich: Fawcett, (No year of publication, Preface written in November 1904.)

After all of the uses of masks for villainous purposes, we now see the development of a new type of mask: a mask that has to be used for personal protection. The Earl of Kent is the first character in King Lear to use a mask for this intention. When King Lear becomes furious at Cordelia for not declaring her love for him, and disowns her, Kent stands up for Cordelia and tells the King to, "Reserve thy sate, And in thy best consideration check This hideous rashness" (1.1.149-50). Lear becomes infuriated with Kent for interfering with his affairs. He tells Kent to vacate his kingdom within ten days or he will be killed. Kent, however, has no such plans. He loves the King as his father and does not want any injury to come to him. He also thinks there may be trouble coming speedily for the King. Kent decides to disguise himself as Caius and attempt to enter the King's service. Unlike the protagonists of the play, Kent has no option except to use a mask. He is concerned for the future of the King and yearns to be by his side. The mask Kent wears allows for his service of the King, whereas he could not serve the King as himself. As A. C. Bradley Explains, "In acting the part of a blunt and eccentric servingman Kent retains much of his natural character" (255). Kent's use of a mask makes him even more upstanding because he did not have to remain in the Kingdom and help the King. He chooses to stay merely because he is a faithful person. Kent admits that he has loved Lear". . . as my father . . . "(1.1.140), which is ironic because Kent becomes a father figure to Lear. There is not much Kent can do to assist the King, however, he watches over Lear as a parent watches over a child. Kent watching over Lear makes him, Kent, an even more respectable person because he seeks no personal gain from it, unlike Goneril and Regan. Kent is unquestionably a benevolent and loyal person.

By using his mask, Edmun

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