: Why do you think that Edgar did not reveal his identity to a father who he has heard say:
: Ah dear son Edgar, : The food of thy abused father's wrath- : Might I but live to see thee in my touch : I'd say I had eyes again.
: I would appreciate any thoughts.
: Tom
To Tom, It makes his caring even more poignant, the fact that he does it without recognition or gratitude. However, this is not really a reason. Perhaps he knows that Gloucester will not be able to cope with finding out that the person who has been looking after him is his son - it could cause his heart to break. Edgar is also more disposed to help his father while in disguise. His aim is to cure him of his depression by making him think he has been saved by divine intervention when he "falls" off the cliff in Dover. "Why do I trifle with his despair/Is done to cure it" He does not want his father to commit suicide because for the Elizabethans this was the worst way to die - incurring eternal d a mnation. Ultimately, Shakespeare must have wanted the plot to continue in the way it did, and if Edgar revealed himself then it could not have done so - but to say S made a mistake would be ridiculous, but when watching the play (Did you see the recent RSC production?) there is no reason to see it as a mistake. Anyway, hope this has helped a bit, Emma