The Heart of His Mystery

Shakespeare and the Catholic Faith in England Under Elizabeth and James

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book The Heart of His Mystery by John Waterfield, iUniverse
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John Waterfield ISBN: 9781440143410
Publisher: iUniverse Publication: October 21, 2009
Imprint: iUniverse Language: English
Author: John Waterfield
ISBN: 9781440143410
Publisher: iUniverse
Publication: October 21, 2009
Imprint: iUniverse
Language: English

Shakespeare has traditionally been viewed as Queen Elizabeth's 'poet laureate', and as the official mouthpiece of the Elizabethan age. But the Elizabethan world was torn apart by the religious divisions initiated by the Reformation, and vitiated by the government's merciless persecution of Catholics. As it was the victors who wrote the history, the English Reformation has been portrayed as a peaceful transition enjoying majority support, when in fact it was nothing of the kind. Elizabeth's regime was a police state which sanctioned the use of torture, where Catholic priests and those who harboured them were liable to summary and bloody execution. The persecution of Catholics was continued by James I, evoking the violent response of the Gunpowder Plot.

The Heart of His Mystery examines Shakespeare's life and work against this background. There is strong biographical evidence that he was himself a Catholic, and a detailed survey of his plays and poems shows that his imagination was intimately bound up with his religious faith. When we realise that his human compassion grew from his membership in a persecuted community, we can glimpse the mystery he has encrypted in his works and we come closer to understanding the hidden heart of Shakespeare the man.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Shakespeare has traditionally been viewed as Queen Elizabeth's 'poet laureate', and as the official mouthpiece of the Elizabethan age. But the Elizabethan world was torn apart by the religious divisions initiated by the Reformation, and vitiated by the government's merciless persecution of Catholics. As it was the victors who wrote the history, the English Reformation has been portrayed as a peaceful transition enjoying majority support, when in fact it was nothing of the kind. Elizabeth's regime was a police state which sanctioned the use of torture, where Catholic priests and those who harboured them were liable to summary and bloody execution. The persecution of Catholics was continued by James I, evoking the violent response of the Gunpowder Plot.

The Heart of His Mystery examines Shakespeare's life and work against this background. There is strong biographical evidence that he was himself a Catholic, and a detailed survey of his plays and poems shows that his imagination was intimately bound up with his religious faith. When we realise that his human compassion grew from his membership in a persecuted community, we can glimpse the mystery he has encrypted in his works and we come closer to understanding the hidden heart of Shakespeare the man.

More books from iUniverse

Cover of the book Requiem for a Snappy Dresser by John Waterfield
Cover of the book The Shadow Whistler by John Waterfield
Cover of the book Virtual Travel by John Waterfield
Cover of the book The First Book of Samuel by John Waterfield
Cover of the book Lysterium by John Waterfield
Cover of the book Operation: Mount Mckinley by John Waterfield
Cover of the book Pacific Lst 791 by John Waterfield
Cover of the book Arkalalah by John Waterfield
Cover of the book The Lebor Feasa Runda by John Waterfield
Cover of the book A Grand Quilt of Life by John Waterfield
Cover of the book “I’m Glad You Know Me!” by John Waterfield
Cover of the book The Second Coming by John Waterfield
Cover of the book Corridors of Hell by John Waterfield
Cover of the book Veneta Junction by John Waterfield
Cover of the book Is It Safe to Eat Out? by John Waterfield
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy