People, whether at their own behest or otherwise, don masks through the course of life presenting to the world but a pretentious and artificial sham. The characters of "King Lear" exemplify this notion in every respect. Goneril, Regan, and Edmund adopt facades and act under false pretenses for their own nefarious ends. Others like Cordelia, Kent, and Edgar are victims of false appearances, and must assume new guises. Willingly or compelled, these characters and their actions play a vital role in the theme of appearances versus realities.

Such loving daughters did Goneril and Regan seem when they professed their unbounded and undying love for their father, King Lear, when offered pieces of the kingdom for the eloquence of their words. So did Goneril pour forth, "Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter, dearer than eyesight, space and liberty..."(Act I, i) and Regan affix...