King Lear Act 4 Scene 4

In this debatable scene, Edgar's morals are toyed with, as he witnesses his own blind, helpless father express his desire to commit suicide. If Gloucester had not fainted, Edgar very nearly could have also witnessed a gruesome death of his father. When Gloucester regains consciousness, Edgar, no longer pretending to be crazy Tom, tells him that he has survived a "miraculous" fall. Initially, Edgar appears as a manipulator, as he refuses to reveal his relation to Gloucester. Edgar's lies and deceit lead the audience to believe that he is spinning mischievous webs. However, Edgar is also portrayed as a rescuer of a faithless man, playing the role of God himself. Edgar chooses the fate of his father, tricking him to believe that the Gods have given him a second chance, "thy life's a miracle." Ironically, while his tricks were previously seen to be malicious, this new trick is seen as a holy blessing. At the same time, Edgar tells Gloucester that he was able to see a demon parting from Gloucester's body as he fell off of the cliff. This beastly creature was in fact Edgar, which again, causes the reader to see Edgar with a negative connotation. However, Edgar's anecdote results in Gloucester's acceptance of his miseries, agreeing to struggle with them and fight them. "Henceforth I'll bear affliction till it do cry out itself 'enough, enough,' and die." This respectable and dignified act is one that is uncharacteristic of Edgar and leads me to consider Edgar as more of a savior than a manipulator in this scene.