In Shakespeare’s King Lear, there are several sequences which display
the varying perceptions of different characters. The perceptions of the
characters often differs because of what they are able to see and also in their
nature. Such factors obstruct their vision, not allowing them to see clearly.
One sequence which may illustrate this is the banishing of Cordelia after she
refuses Lear’s test of love. Another sequence is the gouging of Gloucester’s
eyes by Cornwall. A third sequence which shows the indifference of opinion
within the characters is Lear’s death at the end of the play.
As the play opens up, Gloucester and Kent are speaking of Lear’s
intention to divide his kingdom according to a test of love. It is this test of
love which causes Lear to banish his most beloved daughter Cordelia. When asked
how much she loves her father, Cordelia replies that she loves him according to
her bond, no more nor less . This response angers Lear and causes him to ban
her for her refusal to comply. Lear is held to the belief that she does not
love him. He believes that the daughter which had loved him the most (and who
he loved the most) has broken his heart. He is suspicious and bans her because
he thinks that she is the only daughter who doesn’t love him. It is Lear’s
rashness which prevents him from seeing that she is speaking the truth. It is
the same rashness which leads him to believe that Goneril and Regan are being
truthful. Kent believes that Lear is wrong and openly tells him so. He says in
a s…
…onverged. His personal suffering
allow him to make an unbiased and calm statement after the death of Lear. He
has endured so much and can speak from his own experience.
Several events in King Lear are seen differently by various characters.
Their own intentions and beliefs cause them to make decisions which, if wrong,
are corrected through the play’s progression. The nature of the characters
along with their personal desire cause them to be biased and sometimes
predictable in their actions. Often times, it is the obstruction created by
other characters which prevents them from seeing clearly. Eventually, in the
climactic play’s end, all wrong is corrected, unfortunately at the cost of
several lives of many innocent people, making King Lear a true tragedy.