Blindness in King Leer Essay -- Shakespeares King Lear

A persons percept is influenced by his or her character. Because of this subjectivity, there is often a disconnect between how things are perceived and reality. People often see what they indispensableness to see or hear what they want to hear. Blindness is literally defined as the in capability to see, but it is also defined as lacking perception, awareness, or discernment (New Oxford American Dictionary). In big businessman Lear, Shakespeare illustrates that figurative sight often is more important than the physical ability. Through Shakespeares deliberate language and complex characters, he demonstrates that a lack of perception can lead to impulsive decisions that eventually render a tragic demise.In the beginning of the play, King Lears vanity, which is arguably one of his fatal flaws (hamartia, as defined by Aristotle) is the character trait that leads to his faulty perception. King Lear wants so badly to hear professions of love that he is unable to differentiate between sa tin flower and dishonesty. However, it is not always clear whether King Lear has lost this perception or is unwisely ignoring it (Bradley). Even in the beginning of the play, it becomes evident that King Lears ability to perceive is significantly impaired. When he calls upon his daughters to profess their love in order to receive a share of his ground, he is pleased by Gonerils flowery flattery, although it is clearly hyperbolic Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter/Dearer than eyesight, space and liberty (I.i. 60-62). As A.C. Bradley states, The rashness of his division of the kingdom troubles us the readers and his motive is mainly selfish (Bradley). King Lears infatuation with himself leaves him satisfied with the false professions of love an... ...ome of which are character flaws and some of which are deliberate, that foresee them from comprehending reality. As later seen in the play, Gloucesters hasty decision to disinherit his son Edgar based on a false perce ption, led to Gloucesters last death. Similarly, King Lears misperceptions of his children also led to thoughtless decisions that brought about his death. Even though King Lear eventually regained the ability to distinguish between appearance and reality, it was to a fault late.Works CitedBradley, A.C. King Lear. Shakespearian Tragedy. Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. Macmillan and Co., London, 1919. Project Gutenberg. Web.Blind. The New Oxford American Dictionary. 3rd ed. 2011. Print.Shakespeare, William, Barbara A. Mowat, and Paul Werstine. The Tragedy of King Lear. New York Washington Square, 1993. Print.