... (Garden City, N.Y.: Anchor Books, 1966), 130, Jan Kott makes explicit what many critics assume about Lear: "He does not see or understand anything. . . . Lear is ridiculous, naive and stupid." 2 The classic statement of this view is to be found in A. C. Bradley, Shakespearean Tragedy (1904; rept. New York: Meridian Books, 1955), 258-60. See especially Bradley's attempt to state the moral of ... (as the King of France might). Jaffa is the only critic of the play to have articulated the strategy of Lear's original plan, but he was not the first to note that Lear enters act 1, scene 1 with...

• Word Count: 8939
• Approx Pages: 36
• Grade Level: High School

... ; but his ability to see the true nature of his sons occurred after having his eyes plucked out by the Duke of Cornwall. Albany was another character suffering from the classic case of blindness, but luckily, for him her survived the battle. Albany's case of blindness was purely a result of love he had for Goneril. Although he disapproved of her actions ... loved Goneril. Albany was also blind to the fact that Goneril was cheating on him and that she plotted to kill him. Fortunately, Edgar came across a cure for Albany's blindness. A note outlining Goneril's evil plans was all Albany nee...

• Word Count: 1126
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Blindness In the classic play, King Lear the theme of blindness encompasses both literal and figurative meanings. The terms blind or blindness generally are described in the Webster's Dictionary as " wanting of sight or ... father's fortune. "strange and fastened villain (Edgar)! All ports I"ll bar; the villain shall not escape Besides, his picture I send far and near, that all the kingdom may have due note of him; and of my land, loyal and natural boy (Edmund), I"ll work the means to make thee capable." (Act 2, Sc 1, Ln 79-87) In addition to the Earl of ... ...

• Word Count: 1388
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School