This is a compare and contrast between two different views of the character, Gloucester in the play King Lear. It will show the different ways Gloucester had his eyes gouged out. It will also show the different ways lighting is used and what kind of scenario. It will also show the difference in the character's age. Let's not forget the wardrobe and the difference between the two productions. It will show how Gloucester ages and has similar problems as the king. In the first part of the play Gloucester receives a letter from Edmond, his bastard son, as the first plot towards the downfall of his father, Gloucester. In the BBC version Gloucester appears to be in his seventies, while in the PBS version Gloucester appears to be a much younger man in his sixties. This letter makes Gloucester believe that his binder son has betrayed him, which makes Gloucester very angry and hurt because he loved his son. It just seems like this takes a lot out of it. As the play continues, Gloucester serves the king with everything he has in him. When the king goes mad, due to the betrayal of his daughters, Gloucester shows his loyalty to the king by leading him to safety. Oswald is the one who delivered the message that Gloucester had hidden the king from his daughters. For this reason Reagan and the Duke of Cornwall (her husband) declare Gloucester a traitor. Reagan sends for Gloucester and they bring him before his accusers. Gloucester confronts Reagan and the Duke when he is accused of treason. Gloucester says I would rather be blind than see how his daughters treat their father. Of course I am paraphrasing the exact statement. The exact statement is this: “Because I wouldn't want to see your cruel nails tearing them away... in the middle of the paper... oh well. The PBS and BBS versions of the work have many differences with the same meanings and reasons. Each version gave the show a new twist. Twists like being blinded, but still having the will to help others. Gloucester and the king had much in common. They both had children who betrayed them, but not the one they thought did. They were also very old and weak. In the end they both lose one or more children. This is a sad story that will change the way of thinking of anyone who deals with the family. Works Cited Shakespeare, William. The Norton Shakespeare. The tragedy of King Lear. Second edition. W. W. Norton & Company. New York. London 2008.William Shakespeare:Tragedy King Lear. Produced by BBC and Time-Life Films.McKellen, Ian, Nunn,Treyor. King Lear Great performances. Produced by PBS. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/king-lear/watch-the-play/487/