It is often true, that at times one cannot even see what is going on before his or her eyes. This may also tell one to use rational judgment and keep alert to the surroundings.
King Lear finally decides to leave his daughters unloving care and go out into the violent storm, which leads to significant realizations for the main character of the play. The violence of the storm includes loud thundering, lightning, and heavy rains. It does not seem to bother Lear because the violence outside is better than being inside with his daughters, where there is betrayal and cruelty. King Lear seems to think that he can take on a fight with the storm and will take on its violent powers:.
Blow winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, Blow!.
You cataracts and hurricanes, spout.
Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks.
You sulph"ous and thought-executing fires,.
Vaunt-courieers of ocak-cleaving thunderbolts,.
Singe my white head. And thou, all-shaking thunder,.
Strike flat the thik rotundity o'th"world.
Crack nature's mols, all germens spill at once.
That makes ingrateful man. (3.2.127).
The storm helps him to realize that he is truly left with nothing of his kingdom or his family, all on his account. Outside, the storm is very chaotic, but it is just as chaotic inside his head. The violent storm is more than just a storm; it symbolizes the King's madness that is overcoming him. He has finally lost his mind after experiencing self-pity and guilt for betraying Cordelia. A message is sent to listeners to be careful of pride, because as Lear finds out he was not at all careful. His poor judgment lends a lesson that one should never be too careful in trusting those around them. In Shakespeare's play violence is used to take everything away leaving "nothing." It is not until the main character is left with nothing that he realizes.
