Blind as a bat: "King Lear" - William Shakespeare

There are many recurring images of blindness or impaired vision in William Shakespeare's King Lear. The predominant images concern those characters in the play that cannot see, however in examining those who are blind we must also examine those who have the clarity and wisdom to see properly. Gloucester and Lear are the characters most gravely afflicted by blindness. It begins as a metaphorical blindness, or lack of wisdom and insight. Not only do these …

…are unaware of what is right in front of them. Such people are often in positions of power and leadership just like Lear, such as George Bush. Bush is unaware that his actions are not only negatively affecting his country, but they are also costing the rest of the world. Therefore, people must constantly be looking past what is obvious in order to truly understand what is going on in their lives, and their societies.