King Lear, William Shakespeare

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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 duped by the
physical garments and simple disguise that Kent wears. Lear cannot see
who Kent really. He only learns of Kent's noble and honest character
just prior to his death, when his vision is cleared. By this time,
however, it is too late for an honest relationship to be salvaged.
Lear's vision is also marred by his lack of direction in life,
and his poor foresight, his inability to predict the consequences of
his actions. He cannot look far enough into the future to see the
consequences of his actions. This, in addition to his lack of insight
into other people, condemns his relationship with his most ...

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of hers again" (I.i.264-266).
He cannot see far enough into the future to understand the
consequences of this action. Ironically, he later discovers that
Cordelia is the only daughter he wants to see, asking her to "forget
and forgive" (IV.vii.85). By this time, he has finally started to gain
some direction, and his vision is cleared, but it is too late for his
life to be saved. His lack of precognition had condemned him from the
beginning.
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. Prior to ...

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