Blindness in King Lear and Oed

             The two works King Lear by William Shakespeare and Oedipus the King by Sophocles share similar themes. One such theme is sight versus blindness. In Shakespeare's King Lear the issue of sight versus blindness is a recurring theme. In Shakespearean terms, as well as in Sohpocles' Oedipus the King, being blind does not only refer to the physical inability to see. Blindness is used in these two works to show a mental flaw some of the characters possess and vision is not derived solely from physical sight. In King Lear, Gloucester and Lear are two prime examples Shakespeare incorporates into this theme, as well as Oedipus in Oedipus the King. Blindness is the cause of the downfall of the tragic hero Oedipus. Not only does his blindness appear physically but also egotistically, like Lear.
             In both plays, Lear and Oedipus similarly hold a high position in their respective countries. Lear is the King of Britain and Oedipus is the King of Thebes. Both kings, because of their high position in society are supposed to be able to distinguish the good from the bad. Unfortunately, their lack of insight prevents them from doing so. Gloucester is a prime example of a character, like Lear and Oedipus, who lacks insight but regains it when he is blinded physically. Gloucester is the aging Earl, a good man with a long run of bad luck. His problems are with his two sons, Edgar and Edmund. Gloucester's vision is very much like Lear's and Oedipus'. These three characters are unable to see what is going on around them.
             Lear's lack of insight is seen through his three daughters, Goneril, Regan and Cordelia. The "love test" at the beginning of Act 1, scene I sets the tone for this extremely complicated play. Lear demands that his daughters prove how much they love him. Rather than being a true test of their love for him, the test seems to invite or even demand flattery. Lear states, "Tell me, my daughters/ Since now we will divest us bo...

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Blindness in King Lear and Oed. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 00:45, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/37735.html