Although it is never too late to learn, those lessons learned in old age are the most difficult and the most costly. In his play KING LEAR, Shakespeare illustrates that wisdom does not necessarily come with age. The mistakes that Lear and Gloucester make leave them vulnerable to disappointment and suffering at a time in their lives when both should be enjoying peace and contentment. Although both Lear and Gloucester achieve wisdom before they die, …showed first 75 words of 2244 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2244 total…to understand that appearance does not always represent reality. Gloucester avoided a similar demise by learning the relationship between appearance and reality. It is amazing that only through great hardships, such as Gloucester having his eyes plucked out, could he and Lear receive true insight. Unfortunately, Gloucester’s blindness cost him his eyes and a natural relationship with his son. Lear’s blindness ended up costing Cordelia her life and consequently the life of himself.