Blindness And Misjudgment In King Lear

In William Shakespeare's King Lear, the theme of blindness and insight worsens characters' ability to judge right from wrong which leads to sorrow, chaos, and tragedy. This recurring theme of blindness and misjudgment characterizes Lear and Gloucester as the blind, and they demonstrate that literal sight does not assure clear judgment of a situation.
Lear’s duty as a monarch hinges on the ability to recognize the difference between good and evil, but his impairment of sight renders him unable to perform his task. “…By all the operation of the orbs from whom we do exist and cease to be; here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity, and property of blood… As thou my sometime daughter” (I, I) Soon after Kent says “See better, Lear; and let

Gloucester's blindness and impaired judgment lead him to believe Edgar had planned to murder him and claim his kingdom. The blindness prevents Gloucester from seeing the evil in Edmund and though Edgar has never deserved to lose the trust of his father, Gloucester still believes he would attempt to kill him. Edmund took advantage of Gloucester's blindness and misjudgment to turn him against his brother, so he could claim his father's kingdom. “I have no way, and therefore want no eyes; I stumbled when I saw: full oft 'tis seen, Our means secure us, and our mere defects Prove our commodities. O dear son Edgar, The food of thy abused father's wrath! Might I but live to see thee in my touch, I'ld say I had eyes again!” (IV, I) He emphasizes that he lacked correct insight and judgment when viewing those around him, all the while displaying that physical sight does not assure correct judgment and insight. Gloucester only sees the mistakes he made as he loses his physical eyesight, forcing him to realize what he has done banishing the truth of Edgar and believing the deceit of

As Lear falls victim to his insanity, he causes the death of Cordelia as the result not believing in his only truthful and loving daughter. From Lear’s blindness, he did not believe Cordelia as she spoke truth and love. As a result of his misjudgment, he banishes Cordelia, who later returns from her banishment to see Lear, To only later die from lynching. “No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison: We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage: When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down, And ask of thee forgiveness…“ (V, III) After coming to terms with his actions Lear feels guilt as a result of him not believing the love and truth of his daughter. In addition to Lear kickstarting a tragedy, Gloucester contributed as well, and both fell to their blindness. From the result of his blindness, Gloucester believed his legitimate son, Edgar, the deceitful one. As Gloucester learns Edgar disguised himself as Poor Tom, he dies of shock off-screen. Furthermore, Gloucester succumbed to his blindness which created his own death out of his misjudgment and