King Lear - Blindness

Blindness in “King Lear” A reoccurring theme in Shakespeare’s “King Lear” is the theme of blindness. Blindness in today’s society is generally interpreted as the inability of the eye to see. In Shakespearian terms, blindness is not a physical state of being, but rather a temporary mental flaw. The theme of blindness in “King Lear” is clearly shown through the actions of Albany, Gloucester, and King Lear. Albany suffers from the classic case …

…Cordeilia’s love lead to the tragic death of his daughter. Blindness proves to be a continuous theme Shakespeare uses throughout “King Lear.” Blindness is not an inability of the eye to see, but a temporary mental flaw. Albany, Gloucester, and Lear experience this blindness, which results in death, leading to a tragic ending. Shakespeare exemplifies the consequences of being blind to your surroundings through the visionless and foolish actions of Albany, Gloucester, and Lear