For most of us, we do not seek out suffering; however, in order to grow and mature as people, suffering must become part of our lives. Shakespeare exemplifies this idea in King Lear through the characters of Gloucester and Lear. Although the forms of their suffering differ, the disconnect from reality which they experience results in the same ultimate fate, discovering their truths. For Gloucester, that ironically comes when he is blinded and is accordingly forced to take on a new viewpoint. This clearly demonstrates the idea that, “Full oft ‘tis seen, our means secure us, and our mere defects prove our commodities” (4.1.19-20). In other words, when stuck in our “comfortable” ways, what we often deem as disadvantageous ends up being beneficial;