King lear- Why doesn't Edgar expose himself to Gloucester?

[Poor_Tom]

I would think he would want to tell his father who he is.. Besides wanting to know that his father knew of his innocence why wouldn't he reveal his identity?

[dyingflame]

Edgar seems a bit insecure at the beginning and is easily duped by his brother's schemes; it seems natural in his character that he holds back in revealing his true identity to his blinded father, not fully understanding the truth, and loving his father too much to fear the worst. He is a loyal son and throughout his foray as Poor Tom he matures through pain; even when Gloucester tells Kent of what at the time he thought of as Edgar's betrayal he only cries: "tom's a-cold" instead of standing up and denouncing that in view of his father's claim that "I loved him friend, no father his son dearer."
It seems that unlike Gloucester (who shouts "so Edgar was abus'd! when Regan reveals to him his bastard son's treachery) Edgar does not fully understand Edmund's lies until he kills Oswald and reads the correspondence between Goneril and Edmund; inciting the latter to kill Albany. After that, it seems the only explanation that may be plausible that in the general chaos of his father's increasing craving for death, Lear's madness, and the war and battle that erupts not long after, the things going on are simply too much. It is very practical to imagine Edgar only finding the time to tell the truth to his father just before departing to confront Edmund.
Another point of view could be taken; indeed, Edmund's restraint on himself and his willingness to hide his innocence and identity from his father increase the grotesque irony of Act IV scene vi, where Gloucester tries to commit suicide and fails. Shakespeare might have used this as a classic tragedy mechanic, where one simple action could have solved so many futile pain.

[tommy90]

Hey all,

I am doing an assignment about Edgar and Gloucester. I have to write an Eulogy for Gloucester said by Edgar. Would you have any information or ideas to what edgar might say in the Eulogy? What Edgar's feeling are about Gloucester?

many thanks
Tommy.
Could you send ideas to [email protected] or post here