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 wh
Lear states "When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down/ And ask thee forgiveness; so we'll live,/ And pray, and sing, and tell old tales and laugh,. The "love test" at the beginning of Act 1, scene I sets the tone for this extremely complicated play. After several testimonies, Oedipus opens his eyes and accepts the blame. Ironically, when Tiresias, a blind prophet claims "you with your precious eyes, you're blind to the corruption of your life, to the house you live in, those you live with-who are your parents? Do you know? All knowing you are the scourge of your own flesh and blood. He does not, however, know that he has fulfilled the prophecy. Just before Oedipus blinds himself he realizes what he has done. Goneril and Regan, by their speeches flatter their father. Now you have me to fight for you, you'll see! I am the land's avenger by all rights, and Apollo's champion to" (149-155). Lear demands that his daughters prove how much they love him. It is also interesting to note that Lear's eyesight fails in the moments just before he dies, while Gloucester whishes himself insane so he could more easily bear his misery. Gloucester states, "I stumbled when I saw full oft 'tis seen/ Our means secure us, and our mere defects/ Prove our commodities. Although Edgar is the good and loving son, Gloucester disowns him, like Lear disowns his daughter Cordelia. Goneril and Regan, however, fool Lear; into thinking that they love him while Cordelia does not. In Lear's character, one sees that physical sight does not necessarily guarantee clear sight.
Common topics in this essay:
Edmund Gloucester,
Cordelia Thou,
King Lear,
Gloucester Oedipus,
Lear Gloucester,
Lear Kent,
Goneril Regan,
Ironically Tiresias,
Liberty/ Beyond,
Thebes Oedipus,
lear gloucester,
king lear,
oedipus king,
goneril regan,
lack insight,
gloucester oedipus,
lear oedipus,
cordelia love,
unlike lear,
physical sight,
lear gloucester oedipus,
unlike lear gloucester,
oedipus oedipus king,
solve riddle sphinx,
oedipus lear gloucester,
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Acceptance Essays
