Blinding in King Lear
Blindness is a whole different thing than not having the ability for the eye to see an object, according to Shakespeare. It is not a physical quality but a mental flaw that some people possess. This fault in characters exacerbates their ability to understand and it also leads them in the wrong direction. In King Lear written by William Shakespeare, the characters of Gloucester and Lear are victims of this blemish. Although Lear can physically see, he is blind in the sense that he lacks direction, insight and understanding. However, Gloucester becomes physically blind but gains the ability of discernment that Lear does not have. It is evident from these two characters that true vision is not derived solely from having physical sight. Lear's downfall is primarily based on this principle, while Gloucester learns that true sight is only achieved by experience, and by this, he escapes a fate parallel to Lear's. All through most of the play, Lear's vision is clouded by his lack of insight. Lear is unable to distinguish characters from their true self due to the fact that he cannot see into other people's character. During the scene where Lear is enraged at Cordelia, Kent tries to reason with him saying that Goneril and Regan
Shakespeare's idea of true vision demonstrates that physical sight does not guarantee a clear view upon situations. Gloucester depicts this notion of true vision, despite the total lack of physical sight. Ever since Gloucester was able to see, his perception was similar to that of Lear's. Similarly, Gloucester could not see what was truly going on around him, only what was presented to him on the surface, just like Lear. When Edmund shows him the letter that is supposedly from Edgar, Gloucester takes his word for it and acts upon it. At the instant Edmund mentions that Edgar may be plotting against him, Gloucester calls Edgar an "Abhorred villain, unnatural, detested, brutish villain"(1.2.72) without even knowing the truth. Further into the play, Gloucester tells his servants to "Pursue him, ho! Go after"(2.1.42). On both occasions, he does not even stop to think whether Edgar would plan such an act. Gloucester's immediate conclusion that Edgar is guilty is subject to Shakespeare's idea of blindness. He is unable to tell of Edgar's nature and because of this, he cannot decide if Edgar would commit such a treacherous act. Through Edmund's clandestine plan on Edgar, Gloucester now favours Edmund to be his loyal son. As the plot develops, Gloucester becomes more open to him. The level of trustworthiness between father and son is at the highest peak in the play. Gloucester confides a secret in Edmund revealing to him about the secret invasion of France (3.3.11-12). From the point Gloucester started to trust Edmund, their relationship has slowly strengthened. Gloucester tells Edmund of the letter he received pertaining to the invasion of Britain from France. Edmund deceives Gloucester by pretending to be affected by his father's disapproval of Lear's treatment, he replies to Gloucester, "Most savage and unnatural!"(3.3.6). Once again, Gloucester is blinded by Edmund's loyalty and continues to reveal more secrets to Edmund. Edmund determines to betray his father and tell his secrets to Cornwall. Gloucester is now a suitable victim of treason. are fakes. Lear, unaware of this, yells in opposition to Kent "Out of my sight"(Shakespeare 1.1.156). Kent responds, "See better, Lear"(1.1.157). Here, Kent, one of Lear's followers, is the first person to directly tell the King that he has made mistakes concerning the partition of his sovereignty. Unlike Lear who shows blindness in judgement, Kent is able to see through the superficiality of the elder dau
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Approximate Word count = 1675
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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