Symbol Essay on King Lear

Often in literature, typeism is used to prime ideas or essences in a figurative sense. However, in Shakespeares play, queen mole rat Lear, the symbolism of cecity is used both(prenominal) in a figurative and unfeigned way. This symbolism set up low be influencen in the metaphoric blurness of Lear, and therefore Gloucester, which then leads to the literal cheatness of Gloucester later on in the play. These typefaces of blindness are an distinguished break out of King Lear because they serving the reader to better agnise the make-ups that Shakespeare cherished to convey by his work.The symbol of blindness nates be found in the very primary scene of the play, when Lear is demanding praise from his girls to decide who go forth receive the better part of the land when he gives up his throne. He is metaphori identifyy blinded by his insolence and arrogance when his eldest daughter, Cordelia, replies by tell nonhing. Lear is enraged, Nothing pull up stakes co me of nonhingHere I disclaim all my maternal careAnd as a alien to my heart and me Hold thee from this invariably (I. i. 89-114), and he foolishly banishes the only daughter who truly loves him.He skunknot see that through Cordelias silence, she is actually saying much more than her sisters, who were deceiving their render in order to receive power. by dint of the manikin of Lears actions, the floor that pride and arrogance can blind you is presented to the reader and continues on to evolve into a major theme of the play. Another theme that is introduced through the symbol of blindness is that people are comfortably deceived by others. This theme is apparent when Gloucester is deceived by his bastard son, Edmund. His plan is to deceive his father in order to if not by birth, have lands by wit. (I. ii. 164).He is so desperate for power that he goes to the extreme of putting his companion in danger due the manage letter he gave to Gloucester, do him believe Edgar had turn ed against him. Gloucester is blinded by Edmunds trickery and lies to the load where he orders for Edgar to be killed. Through his example of metaphorical blindness, Gloucester becomes an example of the theme that blindness leads to people being easily deceived by others. Gloucester is also an example of the literal symbolism of blindness that Shakespeare uses in King Lear.In the thirdly act, comes the bloodiest part of the tragedy Gloucester is literally blinded by Cornwall for helping Lear turning away to Dover. After having both of his eyes plucked out, Gloucester asks to see his son Edmund, whom he believes is there to protect him. Regan reveals the truth to him, Thou callst on him that hates thee. It was he That made the overture of thy treason to us, Who is too reliable to pity thee, (III. vii. 88-90), and Gloucester then realizes he has been deceived by Edmund and wronged his son Edgar. By not seeing Edmunds treachery until he was blind, Gloucester presents another theme, blindness can lead to truth.By saying, I stumbled when I saw, (IV. i. 19) Gloucester helps the reader to understand that seeing can blind us from the truth. Through the symbol of blindness, whether metaphorical or literal, the meaning of the play is greatly enhanced by the themes the symbol presents. The reader can better understand the meanings and ideas that Shakespeare intended to portray through his characters. Lear and Gloucester, through their metaphorical and literal examples, offer the symbol to be used as an alpha part of the play.Symbol Essay on King LearOften in literature, symbolism is used to represent ideas or meanings in a metaphorical sense. However, in Shakespeares play, King Lear, the symbolism of blindness is used both in a metaphorical and literal way. This symbolism can first be seen in the metaphorical blindness of Lear, and then Gloucester, which then leads to the literal blindness of Gloucester later on in the play. These examples of blindness are an impor tant part of King Lear because they help the reader to better understand the themes that Shakespeare wanted to convey through his work.The symbol of blindness can be found in the very first scene of the play, when Lear is demanding praise from his daughters to decide who will receive the better part of the land when he gives up his throne. He is metaphorically blinded by his pride and arrogance when his eldest daughter, Cordelia, replies by saying nothing. Lear is enraged, Nothing will come of nothingHere I disclaim all my paternal careAnd as a stranger to my heart and me Hold thee from this forever (I. i. 89-114), and he foolishly banishes the only daughter who truly loves him. He cannot see that through Cordelias silence, she is actually saying much more than her sisters, who were deceiving their father in order to receive power. Through the example of Lears actions, the theme that pride and arrogance can blind you is presented to the reader and continues on to evolve into a major theme of the play.Another theme that is introduced through the symbol of blindness is that people are easily deceived by others. This theme is apparent when Gloucester is deceived by his bastard son, Edmund. His plan is to deceive his father in order to if not by birth, have lands by wit. (I. ii. 164). He is so desperate for power that he goes to the extreme of putting his brother in danger due the fake letter he gave to Gloucester, making him believe Edgar had turned against him. Gloucester is blinded by Edmunds trickery and lies to the point where he orders for Edgar to be killed. Through his example of metaphorical blindness, Gloucester becomes an example of the theme that blindness leads to people being easily deceived by others.Gloucester is also an example of the literal symbolism of blindness that Shakespeare uses in King Lear. In the third act, comes the bloodiest part of the tragedy Gloucester is literally blinded by Cornwall for helping Lear escape to Dover. After having both of his eyes plucked out, Gloucester asks to see his son Edmund, whom he believes is there to protect him.Regan reveals the truth to him, Thou callst on him that hates thee. It was he That made the overture of thy treason to us, Who is too good to pity thee, (III. vii. 88-90), and Gloucester then realizes he has been deceived by Edmund and wronged his son Edgar. By not seeing Edmunds treachery until he was blind, Gloucester presents another theme, blindness can lead to truth. By saying, I stumbled when I saw, (IV. i. 19) Gloucester helps the reader to understand that seeing can blind us from the truth.Through the symbol of blindness, whether metaphorical or literal, the meaning of the play is greatly enhanced by the themes the symbol presents. The reader can better understand the meanings and ideas that Shakespeare intended to portray through his characters. Lear and Gloucester, through their metaphorical and literal examples, allow the symbol to be used as an important part of the play.