“The theme of blindness- both physical and emotional- is dramatically presented in the play King Lear” – Illuminate.

Answer

“The theme of blindness- both physical and emotional- is dramatically presented in the play King Lear” – Illuminate. 

“King Lear” (1608) is the iconic and most famous tragedy of William Shakespeare (1564-1616). In this tragedy, the theme of blindness, including physical and emotional forms, is a central motif that drives the narrative and reveals the characters’ fates. Through the characters of Lear, Gloucester, and others, Shakespeare explores the consequences of literal and metaphorical blindness. It mentions profound insights into human nature and the complexities of power, family dynamics, and loyalty.

Lear’s Descent into Madness: One of the most striking manifestations of blindness in the play is King Lear’s descent into madness. It is emblematic of his inability to perceive reality accurately. Originally, Lear is figuratively blind to the true nature of his daughters, Goneril and Regan, as he foolishly equates their extravagant declarations of love with genuine affection. He wilfully chooses to remain blind to Cordelia’s genuine love and honesty.  Cordelia tells her father: 

“I love your majesty. According to my fond, not more nor less,” 

Lear disowns her due to her refusal to flatter him excessively.  This emotional blindness sets the following tragic events in motion, leading to Lear’s eventual realization of his folly and descent into madness.

Lear’s Literal blindness: Lear’s literal blindness in the storm scene is a powerful metaphor for his newfound wisdom and self-awareness. Deprived of his royal status and exposed to the harsh elements, Lear gains clarity of vision as he acknowledges his vulnerability and mortality. His recognition of his past mistakes and his newfound empathy for the suffering of others signify a profound emotional transformation brought about by his physical blindness.

Lear’s Emotional Blindness: Lear has been emotionally blinded by Cordelia’s refusal to confess her love for him. When Lear’s faithful servant Kent tries to tell him to ‘See better’, he needs to open his eyes to the mistake he is about to make, but stupidly, Lear also banishes his most trusty companion. Lear later regrets this as his other two daughters betray him. Lear is also blind because he cannot see that his servant Kent serves him in disguise. When everything starts going wrong, and Lear is stuck outside in the storm, he is broken down. 

“Doth any here know me? This is not Lear:

Doth Lear walk thus? speak thus? Where are his eyes?”

Here, Lear can no longer recognize himself. He now knows that he is not the most vigorous ruler in Britain. Thus, Lear’s blindness drives him crazy.

Gloucester’s Blindness: Gloucester is one of Lear’s noblemen whose situation is as remarkable as Lear’s. Gloucester has a loyal son, Edgar, and a treacherous son, Edmund. Edmund cheats Gloucester with a forged letter. He makes him think Edgar plans to usurp his estate. Edmund arranges a fake attack on him by Edgar, for which Gloucester disinherits Edgar and proclaims him an outlaw. After that, Edgar adopts false madness and hides in the countryside to save his life and help his father and Lear. In this way, Gloucester’s blindness denies him the ability to see the truth in either of his two sons.

But when Gloucester understands his mistake, he tries to help Lear, but Regan and her cruel husband Cornwall catch him. And Gloucester has been blinded by Regan and Cornwall. In this way, Gloucester’s suffering starts like King Lear’s. Gloucester regretfully says:

Might I but live to see thee in my touch,

I’d say I had eyes again!”

In these lines, he states that he could not see clearly when he had eyes. He says that having eyes made him spoiled, and now that they are gone, it is somewhat advantageous since he knows the truth.

Albany’s Blindness: Albany is yet another character blinded by the truth. In his case, he is not only blind to Goneril’s mean and greedy ways, but he is also completely unaware of her plans to kill him. On top of her evil acts, Goneril is unfaithful to Albany, and he is also unaware of this. Luckily for him, his blindness doesn’t cost him his life, unlike Lear and Gloucester. Edgar helps Albany see the evil in Goneril by showing him Goneril’s heartless plans to kill Albany. Albany finally realizes that his wife is not a good person, and he must stand up to her. Albany says;

“O Goneril,/ You are not worth the dust which the rude wind /Blows in your face!”

Once Albany sees the true Goneril, he is free from her evil ways. He survives his period of blindness and becomes the ruler of Lear’s former kingdom.

In conclusion, Shakespeare’s “King Lear” masterfully explores the theme of blindness, both physical and emotional, through its complex characters and intricate plot. Through the tragic journeys of Lear, Gloucester, and others, the play delves into the consequences of flawed perception, the nature of power and authority, and the complexities of human relationships.