King Lear Vision
In Shakespeare's tragedy, King Lear, a prominent reoccuring theme is vision and it's relovence. The characters, Lear and Gloucester are Shakespeare's principal means of portraying this theme. 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 avoids a fate similar to Lear's.Throughout most of the play, Lear's vision is clouded by his lack of insight. Since he cannot see into other people's personalities, 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 wants to see Kent again, but he could never truly see him for who he was. Kent was only trying to do what
Our means secure us, and our mere defects was best for Lear, but Lear could not see that. Kent's vision is not clouded, as is Lear's, and he knows that he can remain near Lear as long as he hides behind his mask. Lear depicts Shakespeare's theme of clear vision by demonstrating that physical sight does not guarantee clear sight. Gloucester depicts this theme by demonstrating clear vision, despite the total lack of physical sight. Before scratching his eyes out, Gloucester's vision was much like Lear's. He could not see what was really going on around him. Instead, he only saw what was presented to him on the surface. When Edmund shows him the letter that is supposedly from Edgar, it takes very little convincing for Gloucester to believe it. As soon as Edmund mentions that Edgar could be plotting against him, Gloucester calls him an "Abhorred villain, unnatural, detested, brutish villain" (I.ii.81-82). He does not even stop to consider whether Edgar would do such a thing because he cannot see into Edgar's character. At this point, Gloucester's life is headed down a path of damnation similar to Lear's because of a similar lack of sight. Upon these eyes of thine I'll set my foot. (III.vii.66-69) I stumbled when I saw. Full oft 'tis seen, in a heavy case, your purse in a light, yet you
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1422
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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