King Lear | King Lear: Saints and Sinners
A. Watkinson examines the Christian themes of redemption, suffering, and sin present in King Lear as portrayed through the main characters in the play.
The setting of King Lear is decidedly pre-Christian, and yet despite the many references to the pagan world, and an undefined pantheon of 'gods', the pervading view of the play is one of redemption through suffering. This is a clearly Christian perspective of life and death.
Lear declares that he is 'more sinn'd against than sinning' (III, ii, 59-60)1, and Cordelia is seen very much as a figure of sacrifice. Both Lear and Gloucester must suffer to an extreme degree before they can come to terms with their lives, and their faults; and through their suffering, they gain...
[The entire page is 1918 words long]
Join eNotes
The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:
Summary and Analysis – Themes – Characters – And much more...
Navigate
See Also:
- - Read the King Lear text online.
- - For teachers, the King Lear Lesson Plan.
- - King Lear summary and study guide in the eNotes.
Tell a friend about King Lear at eNotes.
- Add King Lear to your favorites