King Lear Group

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choice37
choice37
Student
High School - 12th Grade

What motive prompts Kent to assume a disguise in Act I, scene 4 of King Lear?

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Posted by choice37 on Monday September 28, 2009 at 2:59 PM and tagged with act i, characters, disguise, kent.

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  1. kc4u Teacher
    College - Senior

    eNotes Editor

    Best answer as selected by question asker.

    When Lear banishes his youngest daughter, Cordelia, in the opening scene, the Earl of Kent intercedes on behalf the modest Cordelia. The angry octogenarian king banishes Kent as well, and the loyal & well-wishing Kent wants to see a better Lear. In act 1 sc.4 we see Kent in disguise, having assumed the identity of a servant belonging to low station & offering to serve the old king. Lear wants to know his qualifications and he is convinced that the man would be a good companion. Ever since in the play until Lear's death, Kent accompanies Lear in disguise. Kent represents exemplary devotion and loyalty to the old king, and he assumes the disguise of one Caius, sticking on to Lear, trying to protect Lear from natural adversities like storm and rains, and also from 'filial ingratitude'.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/king-lear/act-scene-4-summary-analysis

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    Posted by kc4u on Tuesday September 29, 2009 at 1:58 AM