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Examples Of Recognition In King Lear

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A person’s recognition can be influenced by various factors. William Shakespeare’s King Lear characterizes that idea throughout the entire play. Particularly, King Lear’s perception is blinded because of how egotistical he is. In comparison, Gloucester’s lust makes him unable to see the reality because of how things appear. Furthermore, the Duke of Albany has passion over reason which is seen with his love for Goneril. In the play King Lear by William Shakespeare, he portrays the theme of gaining insight through blindness in his characters King Lear, Gloucester, and the Duke of Albany. King Lear’s narcissism inhibits him to see the truth. This is seen when he is unable to see Cordelia’s true love for him when Goneril and Regan lie and try to flatter him to get most of the land. He fails to understand that Cordelia’s “nothing” meant so much more when he says “Nothing will come of nothing. Speak again” (1.1.95). Cordelia’s genuine answer to King Lear is …show more content…
Instead of trying to talk to Edgar first about the letter he instantly assumes it was Edgar’s “very opinion in letter! Abhorred villain! . . . . I’ll apprehend him. Abominable villain!” (1.2.75-78). Consequently, Gloucester fails to realize that Edmund is the evil son and Edgar is the one who genuinely loves and cares for him. The theme of blindness is supported once again when they “pluck out his eyes” (3.7.5). Blindness is usually related to being physically blinded and this horrific event defines just that. Due to being visually impaired he gains insight. He now understands how immoral Edmund really is and that Edgar is a really noble son. “I have no way, and therefore want no eyes; I stumbled when I saw.” (4.1.21-22) is a line full of irony because he was mentally blind when he could physically see but mentally saw when he was physically blinded. In comparison the theme of blindness is also portrayed through

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