King Lear Earl Of Gloucester
The presence of the Earl of Gloucester in King Lear helps the audience to better understand the behavior of Lear because Gloucester becomes Lear’s source of sight to reality. This is so, because Gloucester learned the relationship between reality and appearances, which Lear has a problem of learning throughout the play. Also, the issue of 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. Because of Lear’s high position in society, he was supposed to be able to ...
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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, "Out of my sight!” 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 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 is in disguise. Later, Lear's vision is so superficial that he is easily ...
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and knows that Cordelia is the only daughter who actually loves Lear. He tries to convince Lear of that Cordelia loves him, "Answer my life my judgment,/Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least" (I.i.153-154). Lear, however, lacks the insight that Kent has. He only sees what is on the surface, and cannot understand the deeper intentions of the daughters' speeches. As his anger grows from the argument, his foresight diminishes, as he becomes increasingly stubborn and narrow-minded. When Lear disowns Cordelia, he says, "we/Have no such daughter, nor shall ever see/That face of hers again" (I.i.264-266). He cannot see far enough into the future to understand the consequences of ...
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"King Lear Earl Of Gloucester." Essayworld.com. August 21, 2004. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/King-Lear-Earl-Of-Gloucester/13029.
"King Lear Earl Of Gloucester." Essayworld.com. August 21, 2004. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/King-Lear-Earl-Of-Gloucester/13029.
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