Clear Vision in Shakespeares King Lear Essay - 1821 Words

Seeing Clearly in King Lear King Lear of Britain, the protagonist in Shakespeares tragic play of the same name undergoes radical change as a man, father and king as he is forced to bear the repercussions of his actions. Lear is initially portrayed as being an egotistical ruler, relying on protestations of love from his daughters to apportion his kingdom. Lears tragic flaw is the division of his kingdom and his inability to see the true natures of people because of his pride while his scathing anger is also shown to override his judgment. He wrongfully disowns his youngest and most truthful daughter Cordelia, preferring his elder daughters, Regan and Goneril, because of an eagerness to be flattered, and they ironically turn†¦show more content†¦Kent is shown to be faithful to Lear by confronting him about his sins, and like Cordelia is banished because of his honesty. The Fool in the play serves as Lears conscience and social commentator, conveying his poignant messages to the King in cryptic riddles. He says give me an egg, nuncle, and Ill give thee two crowns, and thou hadst little wit in thy bald crown when thou gavest thy golden one away, commenting on Lears lack of judgment in dividing his land. Throughout the play, the Fool observes the disorder that Lear has not only caused to himself but also his entire kingdom while constant references made by him sarcastically indicate the Kings foolishness. The Fool says, she will taste as like this as a crab does to a crab, telling Lear that Regans nature will be no different than Gonerils. The Fool is partially comparable to Cordelia, in that he is a truth-teller like her and is firmly obedient to him, although the Fool is never reproved for his words, unlike Cordelia, because he is all-licensed. The fools role in the play is as an adviser to the King, but the King does not heed his cryptic messages, therefore seeing the outcomes of his actions. The hostility and disrespect shown by Lears two elder daughters Goneril and Regan to the KingShow MoreRelatedSight and Blindness in King Lear1615 Words   |  7 PagesSight and Blindness in King Lear In King Lear, the recurring images of sight and blindness associated with the characters of Lear and Gloucester illustrate the theme of self-knowledge and consciousness that exist in the play. These classic tropes are inverted in King Lear, producing a situation in which those with healthy eyes are ignorant of what is going on around them, and those without vision appear to see the clearest. While Lears blindness is one which is metaphorical, the blindnessRead MoreEssay on Madness in King Lear: Act 4848 Words   |  4 Pages Madness in King Lear: Act 4 In Shakespeares play King Lear, Shakespeare introduces many themes. 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