Blindess

Question 1

A01:

Answer 1

The theory of the wheel of fortune, emphases the concept of blindness both metaphorical and literal, as the play’s authority figures face tragic consequences, and are ultimately stripped from any power, emphasising the on going paramount concept of brutality in King Lear, simply being inevitable.

Question 2

A02 + A03:

Answer 2

• Lear’s inability to perceive the true nature of his daughters’ intentions results in his downfall.
  His misplaced trust in Goneril and Regan over Cordelia demonstrates his metaphorical blindness: “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is / To have a thankless child”. Feeling deeply hurt and betrayed by Goneril’s ingratitude, Lear expresses his anguish with the metaphor comparing the pain of having a thankless child to the sharp bite of a serpent’s tooth. This moment marks the beginning of Lear’s descent into madness, driven by the realization of his daughters’ treachery and his own misplaced trust. This metaphor underscores the depth of his betrayal and the brutal realization of his errors.

-Gloucester’s blindness to Edmund’s deceit and Edgar’s loyalty culminates in his physical blinding, a brutal punishment that underscores his earlier blindness and gratitude towards his son: “Out, vile jelly! / Where is thy lustre now?” . These instances of blindness highlight the tragic consequences of misjudgment and the brutal realities faced by those in power when they fail to see the truth. Gloucester’s brutal blinding is a climactic moment that vividly illustrates the play’s exploration of cruelty and the abuse of power.

• 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 brutality and malevolence inherent in Cornwall’s character.
• The visceral imagery in the blinding scene, with its graphic depiction of violence, accentuates the physical and emotional brutality inherent in the play.

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 3

A04 + A05:

Answer 3

• The motif of sight and blindness is central to “King Lear,” where the brutality of deception faced by Lear leads to his downfall.
• Gloucester’s literal blinding serves as a harsh reminder of his metaphorical blindness earlier in his inability to see through Edmund’s treachery.

-Shakespeare uses themes of perception, and the tragic consequences of their absence, to emphasise the paramount brutality towards the characters in the play who fail to hold gratitude.