The Gospel of Divine Mercy in King Lear
The Gospel of Divine Mercy in King Lear
Author(s): Małgorzata GrzegorzewskaSubject(s): Studies of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: William Shakespeare; King Lear; gift; mercy; forgiveness
Summary/Abstract: The paper discusses Shakespeare’s preoccupation with the Christian notions of divine love, forgiveness and justice in The Tragedy of King Lear. In my reading I employ Jean-Luc Marion’s phenomenological reflection on the givenness of love and Hans-Urs von Balthasar’s theology of Paschal mystery. I take issue with the Marxist and existentialist interpretations of Shakespeare’s tragedy which prevailed in the second half of the 20th century. My aim is not a simple recuperation of the “redemptionism” of the play, but an in-depth consideration of Christian allusions in the play which may tie love and forgiveness to justice and throw light on the ending of King Lear.
Journal: Text Matters: A Journal of Literature, Theory and Culture
- Issue Year: 2021
- Issue No: 11
- Page Range: 321-333
- Page Count: 13
- Language: English