Why are gloucester eyes plucked out

Though well we may not pass upon his life Without the form of justice, yet our power Shall do a court'sy to our wrath, which men May blame but not control. Still, Cornwall argues that he is provoked and must gratify his wrath. When Gloucester is brought to him, Cornwall makes no attempt to control himself. Although Gloucester reminds Cornwall that they are guests in his home, neither Cornwall nor Regan has any interest in maintaining the rules of hospitality.

Regan's plucking of Gloucester's beard reinforces the point that she has no basic respect for age or rank. Gloucester is an earl and an elderly statesman, and Regan's pulling of his beard further rejects the structure of nature, which provides that the older members of a society be revered for their age and wisdom. Gloucester recognizes the insult saying, "'tis most ignobly done" III. Gloucester has faith in divine justice, just as Lear has implored the gods for justice.

Nonetheless, justice appears to be lacking at several points throughout King Lear , and the plucking of Gloucester's eyes is certainly one instance. Gloucester has made many errors in judgment, but in this case, as with Lear, the punishment is surely in excess of his mistakes.

When Regan reveals Edmund's treason, Gloucester is quick to recognize his folly, much quicker than Lear. The plucking out of Gloucester's eyes is so brutal that not even Cornwall's servants can stand by without acting. By William Shakespeare. Previous Next. He's apprehended Gloucester at the gate of his own castle. Cornwall, Regan, Goneril, and Edmund plan how they will punish Gloucester. Regan suggests they hang him instantly, while Goneril suggests they pluck out his eyes.

Cornwall tells Edmund to escort Goneril back to her own castle while Cornwall stays at Gloucester's castle. Cornwall explains that having Edmund in the castle while he tortures Edmund's father would be kind of inappropriate. But before Edmund and Goneril leave, Oswald Goneril's steward comes in with the report that Lear is headed towards Dover, courtesy of Gloucester.

As Cornwall's servants drag Gloucester into the room, Gloucester protests that Cornwall and Regan are his guests, and this isn't a very gracious way for guests to act. Cornwall removes Gloucester's remaining eye, and Regan tells Gloucester that it was Edmund who betrayed him. Regan throws Gloucester out of his own home but the remaining servants, morally outraged by what has happened, agree to take the blinded Gloucester to the wandering madman, who can help him safely escape.

It appears to suggest that Gloucester is a supporter of the French king. I am tied to the stake, and I must stand the course: Gloucester here uses a metaphor derived from a chained animal being baited by dogs. Bear-baiting in which a bear was chained to a post and attacked by dogs was a popular sport in England in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This reference to a notoriously cruel sport anticipates the cruelty which he is about to suffer himself.

In his anointed flesh: The King, like a priest , is anoint ed with holy oil to show that he has been appointed by God to fulfil the office of King. My villain! They draw and fight. Nay, then, come on, and take the chance of anger. Cornwall is wounded. Give me thy sword. A peasant stand up thus? She takes a sword and runs at him behind; kills him. O, I am slain! My lord, you have one eye left To see some mischief on him. He dies. Lest it see more, prevent it.