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Lear's sight is clouded by his lack of direction in life and his inability to predict the consequences of his actions. Cordelia has good insight, and understanding her sisters for truly what they are, she knows what they are capable of and says,.
"Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides". .
Kent also has good moral insight and realises the dishonesty in Regan's and Goneril's love, and the sincerity of Cordelia's. He attempts to reason with King Lear on Cordelia's behalf, risking his life;.
"The youngest daughter does not love thee least,.
Nor are those empty-hearted, whose low sounds.
Reverb no hollowness".
However, Lear is too narrow-minded to understand and says, "Out of my sight!" Kent responds to this with, "See better, Lear, and let me still remain", but Lear does not go back on his words. However when he is banished from the kingdom, Kent still feels his obligation of loyalty to Lear, and returns to his side in disguise. Lear is so blind that he is fooled by the simple disguise and fake accent that Kent puts on, and accepts him as a servant.
Gloucester parallels Lear's character through most of the play. Prior to losing his physical sight, he was very similar to Lear in that he could not see deeper than what was on the surface. When Edmund shows him the treacherous letter supposedly written by Edgar, Gloucester does not even pause to consider Edmund's honesty and the peculiarity of Edgar's sudden greed and dishonesty, and immediately calls him an "abhorred villain, unnatural, detested, brutish villain!" His quick judgement condemns his relationship with Edgar, as with Lear and Cordelia. .
However, there is the ultimate irony as when Gloucester loses his physical sight, he is able to see clearly in his mind, and realises his wrong judgement and the error of his ways; "O my follies! then Edgar was abused". Before Cornwall plucks out Gloucester's eyes, Gloucester provokes him and says,.
