Blindness can normally be defined as the inability of the eye to see,

but according to Shakespeare, blindness is not a physical quality,

but a mental flaw some people possess. Shakespeare's most dominant

theme in his play King Lear is that of blindness. King Lear,

Gloucester, and Albany are three prime examples Shakespeare

incorporates this theme into. Each of these character's blindness was

the primary cause of the bad decisions they made; decisions which all

of them would eventually come to regret.

The blindest bat of all was undoubtedly King Lear. Because of

Lear's high position in society, he was supposed to be able to

distinguish the good from the bad; unfortunately, his lack of sight

prevented him to do so. Lear's first act of blindness came at the

beginning of the play. First, he was easily deceived by his two eldest

daughters' lies, then, he was unable to see the reality of Cordelia's

true love for him, and as a result, banished her from his kingdom with

"..................................for we

Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see

the earldom and that he was the evil son of the two. Gloucester's

Kent. Kent was able to see Cordelia's true love for her father, and

was. As the play progressed, Lear's eyesight reached closer to 20/20

Kent was banished, he created a disguise for himself and was

Gloucester's lack of sight caused him to believe Edmund was the good

eventually hired by Lear as a servant. Lear's inability to determine

the ability to see the goodness of Edgar and the evil of Edmund.

that she was plotting to kill him. Fortunately, Edgar came across a

he could stay in their castle, Albany protested:

means of a forged letter that Edgar was plotting to kill him.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Kent Kent, Cornwall Fortunately, Edmund Edgar, Lear Lear's, Gloucester Albany, Sc Ln, IV Ln, Blindness- Shakespearean, Unfortunately Lear's, Poor Tom, king lear, gloucester's blindness, lear gloucester albany, gloucester albany, lack sight, act sc, cordelia's true, lear gloucester, sons occurred, iv sc, cordelia's true love, act iv sc, act iv,
Approximate Word count = 910
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)