Gloucester:
* Family: The Earl of Gloucester, he has two sons: Edgar (legitimate) and Edmund (illegitimate).
* Character Traits: Gloucester is a well-meaning but naive old man who is easily manipulated. He is blinded by his love for Edmund and his misplaced trust in him. He is deeply affected by the loss of his sight, but he eventually learns the true nature of his sons and finds redemption.
* Role in the Play: Gloucester serves as a parallel to Lear, experiencing his own family betrayal and suffering. He is a victim of manipulation, his own faulty judgement, and ultimately, the cruelty of his son Edmund. His blindness represents both his literal physical blindness and his figurative blindness to Edmund's true nature.
* Key Moments: His blinding scene is particularly harrowing and symbolic. The scene where he learns of Edgar's supposed death and Edgar's subsequent disguise as Poor Tom, offering Gloucester a glimpse of hope and redemption.
Kent:
* Family: Kent is a nobleman, but his family background is not explicitly stated in the play.
* Character Traits: Kent is a loyal, honest, and courageous character. He is a staunch supporter of King Lear and is willing to risk his own safety to defend him. He is known for his bluntness and his unwavering loyalty.
* Role in the Play: Kent acts as a foil to Goneril and Regan, representing loyalty, integrity, and compassion. He serves as a guardian figure for Lear, protecting him and offering him moral support.
* Key Moments: Kent disguises himself as Caius to stay close to Lear. His outburst against Lear's daughters (Goneril and Regan) shows his unwavering loyalty and his moral conviction.
Relationship: Both Gloucester and Kent are loyal to Lear and share his suffering. However, their roles in the play differ:
* Gloucester: Represents family betrayal and the search for truth and redemption.
* Kent: Represents loyalty, compassion, and steadfastness in the face of adversity.
Together, they illustrate the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of poor judgment in the play.