English 46B

C. Greger

10/5/05

Vice Incognito

An Exploration of Disguise

Throughout much of the literary works we have covered thus far, there have been a plethora of instances where disguise has been used as a method of deception. What do these examples of disguise show the reader about the nature of the characters represented? In many cases we are able to find out a great deal from the way that players act within the confines of their masks, their own inner dialogue, and their motivations. The circumstances that come about from these cases of disguise are sometimes tragic, often funny, but always revealing.

Daniel Defoe uses disguise as a method of developing character several times in his novel Roxana. The title protagonist is a skilled performer, and thus is able to manipulate those around her for her own means with ease. Examples of her trickery can...