Examples Of Figurative Blindness In King Lear

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Approximately thirty-nine million people worldwide are estimated to be blind. By “blind”, scientists usually imply physical blindness, or the loss of vision. However, in Shakespeare’s King Lear, blindness can have a much different meaning. Blindness in King Lear refers to the inability to make thoughtful decisions and to discern good from evil. Although no characters were physically blind in the beginning of King Lear, there were many characters that were figuratively blind. Shakespeare illustrates that eyesight is not tied to one’s insight or moral sight through King Lear’s blind actions, Gloucester’s original figurative blindness, Gloucester’s physical blindness, and by contrasting King Lear and Gloucester. Although King Lear has physical …show more content…

In King Lear, Gloucester’s loss of figurative blindness parallels his lose of physical eyesight. Since Gloucester had previously helped Lear escape to Dover, Goneril, Regan, and Cornwall forcefully captured Gloucester. Cornwall then proceeds to claw out Gloucester’s eyes, yelling “out, vile jelly” (3.7.101). Gloucester calls to Edmund for help, but Regan triumphantly reveals that it was Edgar that betrayed Gloucester from the beginning. At this moment, Gloucester’s blindness towards Edmund finally dissipates. Through his eradication of physical sight, Gloucester learns the truth about Edmund’s intentions. Shakespeare cleverly shows that physical sight is not tied to insight at this moment. Gloucester lost his figurative blindness and gained insight when he lost his physical eyesight. Afterwards, Gloucester starts to gain some insight, and says: "I have no way, and therefore want no eyes. I stumbled when I saw” (4.1.19-20). Here, he is claiming that even though he saw, he was never able to see clearly. He was not able to see the truth behind Edgar’s well conceived lies. Additionally, Gloucester says “Full oft ’tis seen our means secure us, and our mere defects Prove our commodities” (4.1.20-23). Gloucester is explaining that he was spoiled by his eyes, and now that he is without them, it could be advantageous. Without his physical ability to see, the truth about Edmund is revealed to …show more content…

Shakespeare clearly shows a disconnect between physical sight and proper judgement and insight. Although King Lear has true physical vision, he is figuratively blind. On the other hand, Gloucester has no physical vision, but gains insight and clear mental vision. When Lear meets Gloucester in Dover, he is confused and says, “No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light. Yet you see how this world goes” (4.6.160-63). King Lear cannot understand how Gloucester can “see how this world goes” without his sight (4.6.163). However, Gloucester knows that one does not need eyes to have clear sight. King Lear still believes that one should have actual eyesight to see the world and tells Gloucester to “Get thee glass

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