The Politics of Forgiveness: A Theological Exploration of King Lear

This essay seeks to reflect upon forgiveness as a social and political practice, drawing upon an exploration of the politics of King Lear. It is argued that neither the conservative nor the radical perspective triumphs within the play, but rather both share the same materialist presuppositions which prevent them from engaging in forgiveness, and bring about their destruction. Forgiveness is the solution to this deadlock hinted at within the play itself. Such forgiveness requires a theological horizon and, drawing upon recent debates concerning the self-interest and reciprocity of Christian charity, such an horizon can liberate forgiveness from its misconstruals as apolitical, anti-social and life-denying.