What is the role of religion in King Lear?
What is the role of religion in King Lear?
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In terms of religion, King Lear lacks any definite form of organized religion. Gloucester openly flouts religious morals by glorifying his extra marital affairs.
Lear himself mentions few ancient deities but shows a kind of authority over them because of his position as the king. Most noticeable form of christian belief is shown through Edgar, who is pilloried and punished by his own.
However, when he sees his father suffering, he only has compassion for him. That is a very Christian thing to do. There are also examples of rebirths or new leases of life in the play with the likes of Kent, Edgar and Gloucester, another reference to the Christian faith.