What Is The Perception Of Reality In King Lear

Our perception of reality is directly affected by what we consume and internalize, and our distorted idiosyncrasies often obscure our sense of morality and the truth. In William Shakespeare’s play King Lear, Shakespeare plainly contrasts the complex and integral role of an unbiased perception of reality and a deliberate will to ignore one’s sense of morality and consciousness. In King Lear, the Earl of Gloucester, a powerful lord in King Lear’s court, is convoluted by his overwhelming paranoia and distrust, making him susceptible to his son Edmund’s lies and contrived threats of latent murder by his other son Edgar. Edmund concocts an elaborate story that forces Gloucester to believe that Edgar is going to make an attempt on his life as a
Albany’s love towards Goneril is detrimental in its breadth and capability. Oblivious of Goneril’s intent to kill Albany, Edgar attempts to clearly outline Goneril’s insidious “plot upon her virtuous husband's life” (4.6.267). Until this acute moment in the play, Albany was ignorant to Goenril’s true intentions. After Edgar sheds light on Goneril’s the true intentions and her false pretense of love for him, Goneril professes her feigned affection toward Albany and her true love towards Edmund as she says “decline your head. This kiss, if it durst speak, Would stretch thy spirits up into the air” (4.2.22-23). Albany was willfully blind to Goneril’s illicit behavior towards another man. This is a clear demonstration of his lack of moral sight, as it is impeded by his overwhelming and blind love for his wife. Any emotions can produce moral blindness, positive or
King Lear banishes Cordelia on the basis that she is unable to confess and love him to the extent that he desires. He banishes her as he disclaims “all … paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood” (1.1.117-118). Lear is overcome by his anger and disappointment and consequently blindly decides to banish Cordelia, the only daughter who truly loves him for who he is and not for the shares of his proprietary, wealth, and the kingdom available to her in inheritance. In addition to his nearsightedness in regards to Cordelia, Lear is also effectively consumed by his anger towards her. King Lear’s noble and trustworthy Earl of Kent attempts to oppose Lear’s decision by defending Cordelia, and in anger, Lear banishes Kent as well. Lear’s decision to banish Kent is also one of anger as he tells Kent, “come not between the dragon and his wrath” (1.1.129). Lear, in his morally blind state, could not differentiate truth from lie, even with Kent’s attempt to remind him Cordelia’s character. Lear’s emotional state of anger prevents him from engaging in the logical reasoning Kent attempts to provide regarding Cordelia’s true love for him. Due to his hubris, Lear fails to take Kent’s advice suffers deeply from the loss of his