Seeing as the Eccentric Lover: An Exploration into Vision, Forgiveness, and Anamorphic Dynamic in Kierkegaard’s “Love Hides a Multitude of Sins”

Abstract

Abstract In this essay I explore Kierkegaard’s description of the vision of the lover carrying out the work of love in forgiveness in “Love Hides a Multitude of Sins.” I do so by turning to the notion of anamorphosis with the associated movement, (dis)position, and eccentricity involved in reconstitution of an anamorphic image. My argument is not only that such a dynamic can be seen in Kierkegaard’s deliberation, but also that drawing the connection between anamorphosis and Kierkegaard’s account highlights the movement and disposition involved in forgiveness as well as the manner by which the forgiving lover becomes an eccentric.