Beginning of Essay
The presence of the Earl of Gloucester in King Lear helps the audience to better understand the behavior of Lear because Gloucester becomes Lear’s source of sight to reality. This is so, because Gloucester learned the relationship between reality and appearance ....

Middle of Essay
.... Lear actually was. In contrast, Gloucester becomes physically blind but gains the type of vision that Lear lacks. It is evident from these two characters that clear vision is not derived solely from physical sight. Lear's failure to understand this is the principal cause of his demise, while Gloucester learns to achieve clear vision, and consequently avoids a fate similar to Lear's. Throughout most of King Lear, Lear's vision is clouded by his lack of insight. Since he cannot see into other people's characters, he can never identify them for who they truly are. When Lear is angered by Cordelia, Kent tries to reason with Lear, who is too stubbor ....