In Shakespeare’s King Lear the violent scene of Gucester’s eyes being gouged out serves as the climax for the play. One purpose for such a violent scene is to define the villains of the story. The play opens with King Lear retiring and deciding to split his land between his three daughters Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. The size of the land plot each daughter will receive will be proportionate to their love for their father. The older two daughters Goneril and Regan eloquently announce their undying love for Lear, and are rewarded generously. The third daughter Cordelia, who truly does love her father, refuses to participate in such a display of flattery and lies. Cordelia announces, in front of all Lear’s subjects, that she loves her father, “according to her bond, no more nor less.” Insulted and hurt by Cordelia’s harsh denouncement of love, Lear disowns her. And Lear’s best friend of thirty years Kent defends Cordelia, Lear banishes Kent too. Having given away his land, Lear decides that he’s going to take turns living with Goneril and Regan. To remind him of his kingship Lear kept a hundred knights. But when Lear shows up with his army at Goneril and Regan’s houses, his “loving” daughters kick him out.The daughters’ reaction is harsh, but it is understandable. Lear is an impulsive hard to please old man. His hundred knights are a burden, which he refuses to surrender. And he just banished his favorite daughter and his best friend, who knows whom might he banish next? It is possible to sympathize with Goeril and Regan when Lear just imposed himself like that onto their households.But when they suspect Glucester of treason, and as punishment without any proof, they gouge out the old defenseless man’s eyes, and with such wicked enjoyment, “out vile jelly”, we lose all compassion for Goneril and Regan, and are convinced of their evil nature.Anoth...
