Shakespeare's Religious Sympathies
Here's an interesting 2014 National Catholic Reporter article regarding Shakespeare's "Catholic sympathies." It quotes prominent Oxford Shakespeare scholars as well as Catholic scholars Claire Asquith and Peter Milward.
Unfortunately, they leave the question as one contested by two opposing camps, just two options, rather than considering other options or respecting the mystery: Perhaps we cannot pluck the heart of the mystery of his religious allegiances (and should not).
As Diarmaid Macculoch notes, it's "natural Catholics should claim this great cultural icon for themselves." So Catholic bias can get in the way.
On the other hand, England wanted to claim Shakespeare as a faithful member of the English church, as it was very important to their sense of national identity after rejecting Rome's religious authority.
Wishful thinking and ideological/religious assumptions won't make Shakespeare English church, nor will it make him a secret Catholic.
A mystery is a mystery.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/media/experts-historians-explore-shakespeares-catholic-sympathies
#shakespeare #EarlyModern #Renaissance
#english #nationalidentity #mystery #churches #Anglican #Catholic
Unfortunately, they leave the question as one contested by two opposing camps, just two options, rather than considering other options or respecting the mystery: Perhaps we cannot pluck the heart of the mystery of his religious allegiances (and should not).
As Diarmaid Macculoch notes, it's "natural Catholics should claim this great cultural icon for themselves." So Catholic bias can get in the way.
On the other hand, England wanted to claim Shakespeare as a faithful member of the English church, as it was very important to their sense of national identity after rejecting Rome's religious authority.
Wishful thinking and ideological/religious assumptions won't make Shakespeare English church, nor will it make him a secret Catholic.
A mystery is a mystery.
https://www.ncronline.org/news/media/experts-historians-explore-shakespeares-catholic-sympathies
#shakespeare #EarlyModern #Renaissance
#english #nationalidentity #mystery #churches #Anglican #Catholic
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