Discuss Shakespeare's handling of the concepts of blindness and insight in King Lear.
The concepts of blindness and sight are not explored by Shakespeare as physical qualities, but rather mental attributes. Blindness in characters exacerbates their ability to understand, causing misjudgement which leads to chaos in the play. This recurring theme of blindness and insight is portrayed primarily through Lear and Gloucester, who demonstrate that physical sight does not assure clear insight. Their lack of insight was the main cause of the foolish decisions they made, decisions that they would eventually come to regret. .
At the beginning of the play, though Lear has physical ability to see, he is blind in the sense that he lacks understanding. Lear cannot identify people for truly what they are, as he only sees what is on the surface. This moral blindness condemns his relationship with his most beloved daughter Cordelia, at the start of the play. In asking his three daughters to proclaim their love to him for their share of his kingdom, he cannot see the falseness of Regan's and Goneril's words as they exaggerate their love for him. Cordelia however, does realise the deeper intentions under the surfaces of her sisters" speeches, and says, "I cannot heave my heart into my mouth". Refusing to be dishonest like them, she attempts to explain the truth in her words to Lear;.
"Why have my sisters husbands, if they say.
They love you all?" .
However Lear cannot see her honesty and as his anger increases, his foresight diminishes and he becomes more impetuous and narrow-minded. He misjudges the situation, mistaking dishonest love for genuine compassion and respect. On disowning Cordelia, he utters, .
"We have no such daughter, nor shall ever see.
That face of hers again". .
Lear shows himself to be a vindictive man in pride, as in a few sentences he unravels all his love for his most beloved daughter, publicly and absolutely.
