sight and its relevance to clear vision is a recurring theme.

Shakespeare's principal means of portraying this theme is through the

characters of Lear and Gloucester. Although Lear can physically see,

he is blind in the sense that he lacks insight, understanding, and

direction. In contrast, Gloucester becomes physically blind but gains

the type of vision that Lear lacks. It is evident from these two

characters that clear vision is not derived solely from physical

sight. Lear's failure to understand this is the principal cause of his

demise, while Gloucester learns to achieve clear vision, and

consequently avoids a fate similar to Lear's.

Throughout most of King Lear, Lear's vision is clouded by his

lack of insight. Since he cannot see into other people's characters,

he can never identify them for who they truly are. When Lear is

angered by Cordelia, Kent tries to reason with Lear, who is too

stubborn to remain open-minded. Lear responds to Kent's opposition

with, "Out of my sight!," to which Kent responds, "See better, Lear,

and let me still remain" (I.i.160). Here, Lear is saying he never

Lear depicts Shakespeare's theme of clear vision by

Gloucester depicts this theme by demonstrating clear vision, despite

(I.i.153-154). Lear, however, lacks the insight that Kent has. He only

main characters of the two plots. While Lear portrays a lack of

from the eyes. Gloucester tells him that sight comes from within.

who Kent really. He only learns of Kent's noble and honest character

detested, brutish villain" (I.ii.81-82). He does not even stop to

judgment,/Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least"

that he can remain near Lear as long as he is in disguise. Later,

down a path of damnation similar to Lear's because of a similar lack

Cordelia is the only daughter he wants to see, asking her to "forget

head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are

tries to convince Lear of this, saying, "Answer my life my

Some common words found in the essay are:
Ii153-154 Lear, King Lear, Ironically Gloucester, Gloucester Lear, Cordelia Kent, Lear Kent, IVvi147-151 Lear, Edgar Edgar's, Lear Kent's, Dover Lear, physical sight, eyes gloucester's vision, vision cleared, king lear, gloucester learns, sight gloucester, gloucester's vision, lear's vision, eyes gloucester's, lear lear, goneril regan, vision cleared late,
Approximate Word count = 1530
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)