King Lear Clear Vision
King Lear - Clear VisionOUTLINE
I. Introduction
A. Issue of sight and its relevance to clear vision
B. Statement of thesis: Lear’s failure to understand that clear vision is not derived solely from physical sight is the principal cause of his demise, while Gloucester learns to achieve clear vision, and consequently avoids a fate similar to Lear’s.
II. Lear’s Lack of Insight
A. Banishment of Kent
B. Condemnation of relationship with Cordelia
III. Gloucester’s Lack of Insight
A. Gullibility towards Edgar
IV. Contrast of Gloucester and Lear’s Vision
A. Meeting at the cliffs of Dover
V. Conclusion
A. Restatement of thesis
B. Clear vision is not a result from sight alone
CLEAR VISION IN KING LEAR
In Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, King Lear, the issue of sight and its relevance to clear vision is a recurring theme. Shakespeare’s principal means of portraying this theme is through the characters of Lear and Gloucester. Although Lear can physically see, he is blind in the sense that he lacks insight, understanding, and direction. In contrast, Gloucester becomes physically blind but gains the type of vision that Lear lacks. It is evident from these two characters that clear vision is not derived solely from physical sight. Lear’s failure to understand this is the principal cause of his demise, while Gloucester learns to achieve clear vision, and consequently avoids a fate similar to Lear’s.
Throughout most of the play, Lear’s vision is clouded by his lack of insight. Since he cannot see into other people’s characters, he can never identify them for who they truly are. When Cordelia angers Lear, Kent tries to reason with him but is unsuccessful because he is too stubborn to remain open-minded. Lear responds to Kent’s opposition with, “Out of my sight!,” to which Kent responds, “See better, Lear; and let me still remain” (894). Here, Lear is saying he never wants to see Kent again, but he can never truly see him for who he is. Kent is only trying to do what is best for Lear, but Lear can not see that. Kent’s vision is not clouded, as is Lear’s, and he knows that he can remain near Lear as long as he is in disguise. Lear’s vision is also marred by his lack of direction in life, and his poor foresight, his inability to predict the consequences of his actions. He cannot look far enough into the future to see the consequences of his actions. This, in addition to his lack of insight into other people, condemns his relationship with his most beloved daughter, Cordelia. When Lear asks his daughters who loves him most, he already assumes that Cordelia has the most love for him. However, when Cordelia says, “…I love your majesty / According to my bond; nor more nor less”, Lear cannot see what these words really mean (893). He is blind to the fact that Goneril and Regan are only putting on an act.
Prior to the loss of his eyes, Gloucester’s vision is much like Lear’s. He can not see what is truly going on around him. Instead, he only sees what is presented to him on the surface. When Edmund shows him the letter that is supposedly from Edgar, it takes very little convincing for Gloucester to believe it. As soon as Edmund mentions that Edgar could be plotting against him, Gloucester calls him an “…Abhorred / villain! Unnatural, detested, brutish villain!…” (899). He does not even stop to consider whether Edgar will do such a thing because he cannot see into Edgar’s character. At this point, Gloucester’s life is heading down a path of damnation similar to Lear’s because of a similar lack of sight.
Gloucester’s vision can be contrasted with that of Lear. While Lear has the physical sight that Gloucester loses, Gloucester has the clearer vision that Lear will never gain. When Lear and Gloucester meet near the cliffs of Dover, Lear questions Gloucester’s state: “No eyes in your head, nor no money / in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light. / Yet you see how this world goes” (950). Gloucester replies to Lear by stating “I see it feelingly” (950). Here, Lear cannot relate to Gloucester because his vision is not clear, and he wonders how Gloucester can see without eyes. Although Lear sees his mistakes, he still believes that sight comes only from the eyes. Gloucester tells him that sight comes from within. Vision is the result of the mind, heart, and emotions put together, not just physical sight. This is a concept that Lear will never understand.
In King Lear, clear vision is an attribute portrayed by the main characters of the two plots. While Lear portrays a lack of vision, Gloucester learns that clear vision does not emanate from the eye. Throughout the play, Shakespeare is saying that the world cannot truly be seen with the eye, but with the heart. The physical world that the eye can detect can accordingly hide its evils with physical attributes, and thus clear vision cannot result from the eye alone. Lear’s downfall is a result of his failure to understand that appearance does not always represent reality. Gloucester avoids a similar demise by learning the relationship between appearance and reality. If Lear had learned to look with more than just his eyes, he might have avoided this tragedy.
WORKS CITED
Abrams, M.H., et al., eds. The Norton Anthology of English Literature. 2 vols.
6th Ed. New York: Norton, 1993. Vol. I. 893-950.