A person's perception is influenced by his character. Because of this subjectivity, there is often a disconnect between how things are perceived and reality. People often see what they want to see or hear what they want to hear. Blindness is literally defined as the inability to see, but it is also defined as “lack of perception, awareness, or discernment” (New Oxford American Dictionary). In King Lear, Shakespeare illustrates that figurative vision is often more important than physical ability. Through Shakespeare's deliberate language and complex characters, he demonstrates that a lack of perception can lead to impulsive decisions that ultimately lead to a tragic end. At the beginning of the play, King Lear's vanity, which is arguably one of his fatal flaws (hamartia, as defined by Aristotle) ​​is the character trait that leads to his misperception. King Lear wants to hear professions of love so much that he is unable to distinguish between honesty and dishonesty. However, it is not always clear whether King Lear has “lost this perception” or is “carelessly ignoring it” (Bradley). Already at the beginning of the play it becomes evident that King Lear's capacity for perception is significantly impaired. When he invites his daughters to profess their love to receive a share of his kingdom, he delights in Goneril's flowery flattery, though it is clearly hyperbolic: "Lord, I love you more than words can express the matter / Dearer to sight , space and freedom” (Ii 60-62). As AC Bradley states, “The recklessness of his division of the kingdom worries us [the readers]” and his “motive is chiefly selfish” (Bradley). King Lear for himself leaves him satisfied with false professions of love and... middle of paper... some of which are character defects and some of which are intentional, which prevent him from understanding reality. As seen later in the play , Gloucester's hasty decision to disinherit his son Edgar based on a false perception, led to Gloucester's ultimate death. Likewise, King Lear's misperceptions about his sons also led to reckless decisions that led to his death. Although King Lear eventually regained the ability to distinguish between appearance and reality, it was too late. Works Cited Bradley, A.C. “King Lear.” Shakespearean tragedy. Lessons on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. Macmillan and Co., London, 1919. Project Gutenberg. Web. "Blind". The New Oxford American Dictionary. 3rd ed. 2011. Print.Shakespeare, William, Barbara A. Mowat, and Paul Werstine. The tragedy of King Lear. New York: Washington Square, 1993. Print.