Image of hope or horror? : the ending of Shakespeare's King Lear, 2008

Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Ste

Identifier: b2195475

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists of theses written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate English program. The holdings are primarily bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts degrees.

From the Collection:

Students become eligible to pursue the Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree if they have obtained a Master of Arts (M.A.) in English from Monmouth University and demonstrate a proficiency for creative writing through a thesis or equivalent work.

From the Collection:

After completing their 30-credit M.A. in English with a Creative Writing concentration, Monmouth’s M.F.A. students take an additional 18 credits of intensive creative writing study that includes the completion of a book-length Creative Thesis.

From the Collection:

During the fall 2022 semester (in instances where the requisite waivers were received from consenting student authors), the Monmouth University Library, together with the University's Graduate School and Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences, began providing open access to select full-text digital versions of current theses and dissertations through links to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global website in the Library's Online Public Access Catalog. Links to these open access digital publications can also be found in the "External Documents" section under any conforming titles that are listed among the holdings itemized in the collection inventory for this finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 2008

Creator

Stevenson, Erinn (1981- ) (Author, Person)
Starke, Sue P. (Thesis advisor, Person)
Goulding, Susan (Thesis advisor, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Collection holdings may not be borrowed through interlibrary loan.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (723-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Patrons must complete a Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to gain access to the collection holdings. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Extent

1 Items (print book) : 39 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Introduction [excerpt]

Many critical interpretations of Shakespeare's King Lear try to identify the play as Christian because of the belief that the protagonist and other characters are redeemed or saved by the conclusion of the play. The Christian readings of the play's ending rely heavily on the idea that the character Cordelia is a Christ-like figure who inevitably redeems her father from his suffering and brings salvation and forgiveness when he is in most need of her salvation. However, there is no evidence to conclude that any character in the play receieves salvation, regeneration, or redemption. While I acknowledge that the play contains Christian themes and motifs, more so as the play begins to reach its climax, I argue that the play should not be considered a Christian moral allegory. Shakespeare sets King Lear in pre-Christian times. Therefore, it should be understood that the characters in King Lear, particularly Lear, Gloucester, Edgar and Cordelia, are meant to rely on their own strength and endurance rather than any element of the divine. Likewise, they are individually accountable for their own unfortunate circumstances which cause them emotional and even physical torment.