King Lear Notes | Act 2, Scene 3

Edgar enters the stage, and for the first time he lets the audience into his head. How Edgar has been so easily duped leaves the audience questioning Edgar's intelligence and gullibility.

But Edgar shows that he is not a complete loser. He decides he will transform his appearance entirely, so no one will be able to recognize him while he is wanted:

"I heard myself proclaimed;
And by the happy hollow of a tree
escaped the hunt. No port is free; no place
That guard, and most unusual vigilance
Does not attend my taking. Whiles I may 'scape
I will preserve myself; and am bethought
To take the basest and most poorest shape
That ever penury, in contempt of man
Brought near to beast." Scene 3, lines 1-9

Edgar will now give up his identity and become "nothing." (line 21).