Blindness in King Leer Essay -- Shakespeares King Lear

A persons sensing is influenced by his or her character. Because of this subjectivity, there is often a disconnect among how things are perceived and reality. People often see what they penury to see or hear what they want to hear. Blindness is literally defined as the inability to see, but it is also defined as scatty perception, awareness, or discernment ( novel Oxford Ameri backside Dictionary). In great power Lear, Shakespeare illustrates that figurative commode often is more important than the physical ability. Through Shakespeares deliberate language and complex characters, he demonstrates that a lack of perception can lead to impulsive decisions that eventually render a tragic demise.In the beginning of the play, index Lears vanity, which is arguably one of his fatal flaws (hamartia, as defined by Aristotle) is the character trait that leads to his faulty perception. King Lear wants so badly to hear professions of pick out that he is unable to differentiate between honesty and dishonesty. However, it is not always clear whether King Lear has lost this perception or is unwisely ignoring it (Bradley). Even in the beginning of the play, it becomes evident that King Lears ability to perceive is significantly impaired. When he calls upon his daughters to profess their adore in order to receive a share of his kingdom, he is felicitous by Gonerils flowery flattery, although it is clearly hyperbolic Sir, I have it off you more than word can wield the matter/Dearer than eyesight, space and self-sufficiency (I.i. 60-62). As A.C. Bradley states, The rashness of his division of the kingdom troubles us the readers and his motive is in the main selfish (Bradley). King Lears infatuation with himself leaves him satisfied with the false professions of love an... ...ome of which are character flaws and some of which are deliberate, that preclude them from comprehending reality. As later on seen in the play, Gloucesters hasty decision to disinherit his so n Edgar base on a false perception, led to Gloucesters ultimate death. Similarly, King Lears misperceptions of his children also led to thoughtless decisions that brought about his death. Even though King Lear eventually regained the ability to distinguish between appearance and reality, it was withal late.Works CitedBradley, A.C. King Lear. Shakespearian Tragedy. Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. Macmillan and Co., London, 1919. Project Gutenberg. Web.Blind. The New Oxford American Dictionary. 3rd ed. 2011. Print.Shakespeare, William, Barbara A. Mowat, and Paul Werstine. The Tragedy of King Lear. New York working capital Square, 1993. Print.