Redemption of King Lear and Isak Borg: An Analysis of the Dying Protagonists in Shakespeare’s King Lear and Ingmar Bergman’s Wild Strawberries
In: Forgiveness: Philosophy, Psychology and the ArtsSearch for other papers by Zhongfeng Huang in
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It is not a coincidence that both Shakespeare and Bergman, one sage in drama and the other in film, depict old age in their marvellous works King Lear and Wild Strawberries respectively. To a considerable degree, both masterpieces concerning old age share striking similarities. Both Lear and Isak are suffering from alienation from their children and/or parents. However, threatened by impending death and plagued with a sense of guilt, both old men feel compelled to look back and reevaluate their past life. To put it another way, accidental incidents kindle the dying protagonists’ thoughts over their past life of isolation and suffering, which provokes a journey of self-discovery and self-recognition, and finally leads to the realization of their faults. This motivation advances the process of self-transformation and a profound understanding of the essence of life, which paves the way for them to seek forgiveness and come to terms with their family members. Consequently, this chapter attempts to discuss the similar theme of redemption in both King Lear and Wild Strawberries from three aspects: the portrayal of old age, the course of gaining self-knowledge, and the final reconciliation and redemption. It argues that the theme of reconciliation and redemption in old age through suffering is prevalent and exigent in these two works. The journey of human suffering, which is physical, mental and psychological for both Lear and Isak, is a means of learning to understand and love, which advances the dying protagonists’ re-evaluation, self-discovery, self-recognition and self-transformation, and leads to their efforts to pursue forgiveness and finally redemption.