2. Gloucester’s Eyes Gouged Out

Question 1

Quote:

Answer 1

“Cornwall: Out, vile jelly!
Where is thy lustre now?” (Act 3, Scene 7)

Question 2

AO1:

Answer 2

Gloucester’s brutal blinding is a climactic moment that vividly illustrates the play’s exploration of cruelty and the abuse of power. This act of violence symbolizes the thematic preoccupation with sight and insight, as Gloucester’s physical blindness parallels the metaphorical blindness of other characters, including Lear.

Question 3

A02:

Answer 3

The graphic language (“vile jelly”) dehumanizes Gloucester, reducing him to a mere object and reflecting Cornwall’s sadistic cruelty. This dehumanization amplifies the brutality of the act, reducing Gloucester’s humanity to something as insignificant and repulsive as jelly. The visceral image evokes a strong emotional response, highlighting the savagery of Cornwall’s actions.

The taunt “Where is thy lustre now?” adds a layer of psychological torment, emphasizing the complete degradation of Gloucester. The vivid and visceral imagery intensifies the scene’s horror, reflecting the play’s broader themes of brutality and moral corruption. By taunting Gloucester with this question as he is being blinded, Cornwall underscores the irreversible loss and the sheer cruelty of the act. This language reflects the harshness and malevolence inherent in Cornwall’s character.

Question 4

A03:

Answer 4

In Elizabethan times, corporal punishment and public executions were common, and the audience would have been familiar with extreme forms of physical punishment. The blinding of Gloucester, though exceptionally brutal, would resonate with contemporary practices and add to the play’s realism in portraying the consequences of power struggles and betrayal.

The motif of sight and blindness is central to “King Lear.” Gloucester’s literal blinding serves as a harsh reminder of his metaphorical blindness earlier in the play, particularly his inability to see through Edmund’s treachery. Shakespeare uses this extreme act to emphasize themes of insight, perception, and the tragic consequences of their absence

Question 5

A04:

Answer 5

Initially, the brutality of the scene might have been seen as a powerful moral lesson on the consequences of betrayal and the abuse of power. The audience would likely have viewed Cornwall’s actions as a dramatic representation of the chaos and anarchy that ensue when the natural order is disrupted.

Question 6

A05:

Answer 6

A Jungian analysis might focus on the symbolic nature of sight and blindness. Gloucester’s physical blindness leads to a form of inner vision or insight, aligning with the Jungian concept of individuation, where suffering and trials lead to personal growth and self-awareness.