Final answer:
Kent's appeal to Lear for improved perception and justice in 'King Lear' coincides with the play's broader themes of truth and morality, paralleling Plato's pursuit of truth in the Allegory of the Cave.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quote "See better, Lear; and let me still remain the true blank of thine eye" from Act 1.1 of Shakespeare's "King Lear" can be interpreted as a plea for clear-sightedness and moral discernment.
Kent, who utters these words, is urging King Lear to see the truth and justice of the situation more clearly, rather than being misled by flattery or appearances. Kent represents a moral compass within the play, choosing to stand for truth and justice even when it leads to his banishment.
Thus, the quote reflects a central theme of the play, the struggle between justice and morality in the face of authority and deception.
Similarly, in the context of justice and enlightenment, Plato's Allegory of the Cave speaks to the theme of seeking truth, where the painful process of gaining knowledge can lead one to see beyond the shadows to a more real existence.
Both Kent and the enlightened prisoner from Plato's allegory face scorn and hostility for their pursuit of truth, drawing a parallel between Kent's moral stand in 'King Lear' and the philosophical quest for knowledge and justice exemplified by the allegory.