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  • Essay / The character's journey through madness to maturity in King Lear

    As one of the most significant moments in Shakespeare's King Lear, the scene depicted in Act 4, Scene 6, lines 131-146 provide insight into the parallels within the play and offer a definition of true meaning through irony. King Lear is at the center of this passage, and it is here that he reaches the climax of his transition from madness to maturity. Additionally, the passage reveals parallels between Lear and Gloucester, their children, and their respective situations. The two can be compared and contrasted to allow the reader to better understand how they influence the play as a whole. As a result, Shakespeare's use of language allows several inferences to be made during the scene. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay Lear opens the passage with the phrase “Let me wipe it clean first; it smells of mortality” (4.6.132), introducing the fact that he wants to get rid of all traces of humanity. In doing so, he reduces himself to a “common” level, thus allowing himself to appear completely overwhelmed by madness. Going crazy broke his ties to the norm. This madness, however, serves as maturation in the case of Lear; finally, he realizes the mistake he made in banishing Cordelia. At this point in the play, Lear has reached the height of his madness as well as the height of his wisdom. He calls his fool – the only character in the play from whom he takes advice – signifying their shared sensibility. The passage to Gloucester shifts the point of view, as Gloucester thinks on a completely literal level. “Oh ruined piece of nature” (4.6.133), he calls to Lear, noting only his own glory, but also that of Lear. His eyes have been gouged out of his head, and although he believes he has survived a terrible fall, Gloucester is humbled by his mortality. He notes that “this great world / Will be so exhausted,” as if he and Lear were the only people in the world who had not been consumed by treacherous materialism. No one knows what is “right” anymore, and the world will inevitably hurtle toward an apocalyptic end due to the disappearance of morals and ethics. Lear's vision has changed so much that Gloucester must ask, "Do you know me?" Lear, mad, responds to Gloucester by saying: "I remember your eyes well enough." Lear suggests that he remembers what Gloucester was like and notes that Gloucester cannot be easily deceived by physical perception. He said, “Are you looking at me askance? (4.6.135) when it is clear that Gloucester cannot use the power of sight to determine who is speaking to him. Now that Lear has moved beyond appearances, he goes on to say: “Nay, do your worst, blind Cupid; I will not like” (4.6.136). Lear refuses to love anyone again, even Gloucester - even though he may think he has a parallel with Lear. Regan and Goneril broke his trust and Lear realized that he was the one who drove away the girl who truly loved him. Lear matures because he realizes how Cordelia differs from her sisters. Gloucester relates to this because it was his poor judgment that caused his good son, Edgar, to leave. Lear and Gloucester were manipulated by children who didn't really like them, emphasizing the theme of appearance versus reality. Later in the passage, Lear edifies Gloucester by telling him to “Read this passage. Mark only the writing” (4.6.136-137). The vision of King Lear is often biased and misleading. Repeatedly, the words "eyes" and "see" appear in a passage, but contradict their literal meaning and impose a closer emotional attachment. Gloucester must use their hearts and minds to see the reality of their.