Dr. David Hayes gives lecture on King Lear's "Love Test" as part of the Dean's Lecture Series at St. John's College in Santa Fe, New Mexico

On April 18, Dr. David Hayes gave a lecture entitled "King Lear's 'Love Test'" as part of the Dean's Lecture Series at St. John's College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, along with Dr. Jeremy Schwartz (Department of Philosophy, Texas Tech University).

The “Love Test” in King Lear is widely understood to be the central puzzle in one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays. As part of a political succession plan, it seems unnecessary. As part of a loving relationship between parents and children, it seems grotesque. It doesn’t even seem to be a real test, since the result is supposed to be pre-ordained. While it is clear that the disastrous results of the test set the whole tragedy in motion, neither we nor the characters within the play seem to grasp the “why” of the test itself.

In this talk, Hayes and Schwartz argued that the “Love Test” is best understood by reflecting on the vexed question of the ends of the parent-child love relationship. Surprisingly, Shakespeare challenges the view that the filially pious child solves this vexed question, opening the possibility that parent-child love is tragic.

A recording of the lecture can be viewed on YouTube here.

Post Date: 05-06-2025