A Father's Blindness

In Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear two of the main characters, King Lear and Gloucester, are struck with different unnatural afflictions. King Lear progressively loses touch with reality throughout the play. Gloucester loses both of his eyes after he is brutally punished for supposed treason. In both cases, the afflictions result in the inevitable downfall and death of both the elderly men.
While their physical and mental inabilities played a crucial role in their downfall, their true Achilles' heels lie within their own families. The bastard son of Gloucester named Edmund betrays his father's trust by revealing Gloucester's treason and tricking him into believing that his legitimate son, Edgar, is conspiring to kill Gloucester. King Lear's two eldest daughters proclaim their love for their father after he divides his kingdom for his three daughters. They then proceed to undermine and betray King Lear once they take power.
King Lear and Gloucester are both blind when the play begins. They are blinded by their love for their children. As a result of their blindness, they allow their greedy children to manipulate them and they fail to recognize the sincerity of their other children. The two families' stories portray the immense power of greed. In both cases greed was responsible for tearing both families apart and ending both men's lives. It is an urge that can be (and is in this play) more powerful then love or loyalty.

The Fool's Function

I first realized that the Fool had disappeared in Dover. Until then he had stuck with King Lear and provided him with cryptic advice throughout the play. However, in Dover, where King Lear acted the most insane, the Fool was no where to be found. The Fool may have disappeared in Dover because he could no longer help King Lear, who by that point had almost completely lost touch with reality. His advice to Lear would have been pointless. Also, the events that took place in Dover were incredibly tragic. The Fool was comical at times throughout the play and his presence during those events may have been inappropriate.
I believe that the Fool's function was to provide Lear with useful advice throughout the play and to entertain the audience with his lengthy poetic lines.