1 / 3

The Tragedy of Self-Knowledge and Blindness in Shakespeare's King Lear

This exploration delves into the themes of self-knowledge and blindness in Shakespeare's "King Lear." It highlights how Lear's vanity and focus on power distort his perception, leading to tragic consequences. Regan and Goneril represent the corrupting influence of greed, while the fool serves as a voice of wisdom that Lear dismisses. Lear’s failure to acknowledge his faults, as expressed in his famous line, reveals his blindness to human flaws. Ultimately, Cordelia's genuine love contrasts with her sisters' deceptive flattery, showcasing the tension between true and false affection.

rimona
Télécharger la présentation

The Tragedy of Self-Knowledge and Blindness in Shakespeare's King Lear

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Self Knowledge vs. Blindness

  2. Self-Knowledge • Self-knowledge tainted by power and vanity as seen in King Lear, Regan and Goneril • “How, how, Cordelia! Mend your speech a little, Lest you may mar your fortunes” • He can’t see past wealth and her obvious love for him is disregarded. • Authority and power do not make up for self-knowledge as seen in the humble fool. • “Thou should’st not have been old till thou hads’t been wise” • The fool can be seen as ‘wise’ as he guides Lear, however Lear dismisses any form of ‘vision’ of the situations around him.

  3. Blindness • Blindness occurs from greed, manipulation and conspiracy. • “I am a man more sinned against than sinning”(Lear) – this conveys Lear’s blindness as he is too self indulged to accept any responsibility or acknowledge his faults and mistakes. • The word ‘man’ can be significant as it presents the idea that as humans we are blind and vulnerable to mistakes. Lear shows his human nature rather than this image of God. • “As unhappy as I am, I cannot heave my heart into my mouth” (Cordelia)- Cordelia explains to her father that she love him with all her heart and that although she knows it displeases him that she does not express how much she loves him like her sister have done, she does not feel as though she has to compete for his affection, or turn love into a materialistic element.

More Related