Religion

Brian Cummings*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

Abstract

Religion appears to be the last great mystery in Shakespeare studies. For much of the twentieth century, the topic appeared marginal. Shakespeare's religion remains an enquiry that evokes a special form of quizzicality. David Bevington, in an essay on Shakespeare's Ideas, takes on the topic of religion almost last of all, just before that of scepticism. Like others, he is more certain of establishing grounds for Shakespeare's scepticism than for his belief. Opinion about Shakespeare's religion, while more vocal than ever, is still openly divided. Stephen Greenblatt confirmed his view that Shakespeare lived a life in the shadow of Catholic belief. Shakespeare loved damaged institutional goods, and he drew upon them for aesthetic purposes all his life. Meanwhile, A. D. Nuttall came to the opposite conclusion: Shakespeare 'writes as if the Reformation hasn't even happened'.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Oxford Handbook of Shakespeare
PublisherOxford University Press
ISBN (Print)9780191744136, 9780199566105
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Sept 2012

Keywords

  • A. D. Nuttall
  • David Bevington
  • Reformation
  • Shakespeare's faith
  • Shakespeare's ideas
  • Shakespeare's religion
  • Stephen Greenblatt

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