Question

I am analyzing Kent's use of disguise in Act 2, Scene 2 of King...

I am analyzing Kent's use of disguise in Act 2, Scene 2 of King Lear. Kent attacks Oswald on behalf of the king, despite how Oswald approaches Kent with respect. When describing to Lear why he is in the stocks in scene 4, Kent describes:


"My lord, when at their home

I did commend your highness' letters to them.

Ere I was risen from the place that showed

My duty kneeling, came there a reeking post,

Stewed in his haste, half breathless, panting forth

From Goneril his mistress salutations,

Delivered letters spite of intermission,

Which presently they read, on whose contents

They summoned up their meiny, straight took horse,

Commanded me to follow and attend

The leisure of their answer, gave me cold looks.

And meeting here the other messenger,

Whose welcome I perceived had poisoned mine—

Being the very fellow which of late

Displayed so saucily against your highness—

Having more man than wit about me, drew.

He raised the house with loud and coward cries.

Your son and daughter found this trespass worth

The shame which here it suffers." (20-38)


Is it accurate to say that Kent deceives Lear by painting Oswald as the perpetrator of the incident, but that Kent deceives with the intention of exposing Regan and Cornwall's corrupt motives to Lear?

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