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Forgiveness In I Forgive The Man Who Shot Me

Decent Essays

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” This quote by Mahatma Gandhi describes the character it takes to forgive an individual of wrongdoing. Forgiveness results in multiple positive outcomes for both the forgiver and the person being pardoned. Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Keating’s “I Forgave the Man Who Shot Me” and Bettencourt's “Triumph of the Heart” discuss the importance of forgiveness in terms of moving on, freeing someone of guilt and finding happiness.
In order to move on from a terrible incident, forgiveness is necessary for both sides. For example, in Keating’s “I Forgave the Man Who Shot Me” Debbie Baigrie was able to move on despite being shot in the face by Ian Manuel. “People would say, ‘stay away from him, what are you doing?’” says Baigrie (with Manuel). “But he’s a human being. He’s smart. He has a lot to contribute. Why not give the guy a second chance?” (Keating 71). Relating to the theme of forgiveness, Debbie was able to move on and forgive this man for his wrongdoings. Without Ian apologizing and Debbie forgiving, neither one of them would have been able to move on from this incident. That is why it is essential to forgive one for their wrongdoings. Just like this, forgiveness is key in The Tempest. Prospero is able to pardon his brother Antonio for his wrongdoings and plotting to kill the king, because of this, the two were able to come to peace and move on without any violence, “... I do forgive / Thy rankest fault,

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