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The Duke of Cornwall, Regan’s husband, represents one of the many evils present within the kingdom. While forces like jealousy and greed drive characters such as Edmund, Goneril, and Regan to act immorally, Cornwall seems to find joy in using his power to make others suffer. His sadistic nature makes him a key figure in the plot to destroy Lear as he has no fears or moral reservations about taking action. Although Goneril is the one who initiates the conflict with Lear, Regan and Cornwall quickly get involved when they hear rumors that Edgar, a friend of Lear’s rowdy knights, aims to murder his father. Shakespeare creates dramatic irony by informing the audience that, in reality, Edmund is the one who is after Gloucester. The fact that Cornwall readily accepts these rumors and insists on acting upon them highlights his willful ignorance as well as his desire to wield power over others. In Act II, Scene 2, these characteristics manifest themselves in Cornwall’s decision to put Kent, who is disguised as a peasant, in stocks after his fight with Oswald. His primary target for revenge, however, becomes Gloucester after he discovers he has defied orders and helped Lear. In one of the most brutal scenes in all of Shakespeare’s plays, Cornwall blinds Gloucester by ripping out his eyes in Act III, Scene 7. This moment serves as the epitome of Cornwall’s heartless brutality and underscores the theme of meaningless suffering within the play. His violent actions ultimately catch up with him, however, when one of his servants speaks out and implores him to stop before fatally wounding him.
