In Shakespeare's King Lear blindness is not a physical flaw, but the inability of the characters to use their thoughts and emotions to see a person for whom they truly are. . King Lear, Gloucester and Albany are three main characters who suffered most by having this flaw. .
Lear was by far the blindest of the three. Because Lear was the King, one would expect him to have good reasoning skills, but his blindness kept him from making wise choices. This is the flaw that led to his downfall. Lear's first big mistake was letting himself be fooled by Regan and Goneril, and giving them his throne . He was blind that he wasn't able to see that they do not love him but it is his throne what their love is for. He could not understand the depth of Cordelia's love for him. He banished her from the kingdom without one thought to what she had said. Lear banished her by saying; "for we Have no such daughter, nor shall we ever see That face of hers again. Therefore be gone Without our grace, our love, our benison." (act1, sc I, 264-267). Lear's blindness also caused him to banish his loyal follower Kent, who stood for the honor of Cordelia and was trying to tell him that Cordelia's love for him is true. "This hideous rashness, answer my life, my judgment,/ Thy youngest daughter does not love thee least;" ( act1,sc I, 150-151). After Kent had been banished, he continued to serve Lear, by wearing a disguise. Because of Lear's lack of sight he could not see through the costume. As the play progressed Lear's downfall was also progressing, but his vision became clearer. When Goneril and Regan would not provide him with shelter during a furious storm, Lear realized that they were the daughters who did not love him. He also began to understand the words of Cordelia from the beginning of the play, he realized that she loved him too .
much to put into words. .
When Lear and Cordelia finally reunited near the end of the play, Lear expressed his sorrow for what he had done.