The theme of appearance versus reality is a reoccurring one throughout the play of King Lear by William Shakespeare. As Shakespeare demonstrates, nothing is as it seams. There is an evident difference between reality as opposed to appearance. Reality is what is, as opposed to what seams to be. Appearance is a reflection of what is observed, it is an image or interpretation. Appearance is an imagination, while reality is an actual existence. In King Lear there are many characters that appear to be, what in reality, they are not. Since one cannot see into another's character, you can never identify someone for who they truly are. The following characters present themselves falsely, either to gain an advantage, or to reveal truth; Goneril and Regan, Edmund, and The Fool. These characters's appear to be what, without a doubt, they are not.
             Goneril and Regan first appear to Lear as loving daughters. In reality, they are selfish daughters who deceive their father for their own personal gain. They both trick Lear into believing they love him the most, when in reality it is Cordelia who loves Lear, virtuously, the most. It does not occur to Lear that Goneril and Regan may be exaggerating, or that their profession might be constructed as inappropriate since they are both married. Lear prefers to believe their flattery because it appeals to his ego. Once Goneril and Regan have what they want, they do not intend on keeping their bond with their father. Goneril and Regan betray Lear. Ironically, they also betray each other, demonstrating how egotistical they really are. However, soon enough their evil catches up to them and there is disorder in their universe. They turn against each other and the bond between the two cunning sisters is broken. They both fight with jealousy
             over Edmund. Being as selfish as they are each would stop at nothing to gain Edmund rather than lose him to the other. "I had rather l...