Why Shakespeare Used Religious Themes in His Plays - Research Paper Example

Why do you think Shakespeare used Religious Themes in his plays? Why do you think Shakespeare used Religious Themes in his plays? Shakespeare’s works have covered a wide range of themes ranging from love and betrayal to goodness and loyalty. However, religious themes have always been apparent in his writings and many of his plays reflect his knowledge of the contemporary theological issues Britain faced at the time. Many of his works are also inspired by religious undertones confirming the fact that religious themes were a recurring element in his works. Several critics and even scholars have attempted to analyze the various religious themes in Shakespeare’s writings thereby investigating the theological dimensions in Shakespeare’s plays (Dutton 67). As such, they have recognized particular religious themes, including biblical references and various theological connotations that point towards the religious inclination of his writings and even his perspective on a particular subject. On many occasions, Shakespeare’s writings display an informed analysis of the contemporary issues such as the Reformation era and its typical theological underpinning (Hunt, 2003). Further, rather than taking a position in sectarianism, Shakespeare’s writing reflects a blend of both viewpoints including Protestantism and Catholicism. In any case, Shakespeare’s works evidentially has religious themes often drawing itself from theological and biblical subtexts. In this essay, I will endeavor to make a case for the presence of various evidences from Shakespeare’s works that demonstrate the presence of religious themes inspired by contemporary Christian issues as well as his knowledge of the religious scriptures (Frye 89). There are many biblical connotations in almost all of Shakespeare’s plays, but one of the most appealing uses of biblical references can be seen in Shakespeare’s play, The Merchant of Venice. The play not only illustrates religious themes in the play’s characterization but it also contains biblical references to Paul’s letters present in the New Testament (Higdon, 2004). The specific character of Shylock reflects a biblically inspired representation of a typical Jewish man and hence the relationship between greed and evil as it corresponds to biblical teachings. The relationship between the Christian and the Jew is of vital importance in the play and it demonstrates a trial of the two people thus having religious connotations. An evident conflict exists in the play between Shylock – the Jew – and Antonio – a Christian – along with the demonstration that is essentially inspired by the biblical representation of the two communities. So the play addresses an important contemporary conflict that has also been portrayed in the Bible. Another theme which Higdon (2004) has pointed out is that of “flattery, “deceit”, and “immortality” thereby hinting at the presence of religious themes in one of Shakespeare’s famous plays. The novel, The Merchant of Venice, therefore provides the readers with the proof that Shakespeare was majorly influenced by the Bible and hence aimed to show its understandings through his writings (Higdon, 2004). Shakespeare’s understanding of the Bible is noticeable in The Merchant of Venice and, to a great extent, in the character of Shylock. Critics refer to his amazing work in Shylock referring to fact that the Bible develops an honest faith in God, good and saints and angels. But parallel to these beliefs, a concept regarding faith in the devil, sorcerers and evil spirits and all sources of evil and bad is also developed. The corresponding evil can be seen in the character of Shylock in the play of The Merchant of Venice. There was not only proof in Shakespeare’s play of the Bible but he also referred to particular biblical books and testaments. Such as in the play The Merchant of Venice, the reader can easily make a link between the play and the letters written by Paul to the Romans that are also present and recorded in the New Testament. These letters were written in connection to the accord that existed between the Jews and the Christians. This exact problem can be viewed in the play by the tension and hatred that is created by Shakespeare between Shylock – a Jew – and Antonio – a Christian. By doing so, Shakespeare has captured the biblically rooted conflict between the Christians and Jews that were written by Paul to the Church by crafting the characters of Antonio and Shylock (Higdon, 2004). The relationship between Lorenzo and Jessica can also be viewed as another test between the Christian and the Jews by the readers. However, that said, Shakespeare’s representations have not taken a biased form but as tried to demonstrate the resulting issues as both Lorenzo and Jessica belong to different religious groups yet are willing to sacrifice their love. The fact that Jessica sacrifices her father and family for choosing a Christian husband of her choice demonstrates the test between the two sides. According to some critics, readers can view Shakespeare’s benevolence regarding the troubles between the religious beliefs by looking into the story that how Lorenzo and Jessica try to sacrifice their love over all the troubles that result from their differences, ultimately, reconciling leaving behind the conflicts (Higdon, 2004). Although the usual Jewish-Christian conflict inspired by the biblical scriptures is a recurring religious theme in quite a few of his plays, there are also real text connections in the writings. For example King Lear, according to many critics, addresses the deeper questions of human existence that are embedded within the tragedies that are key to the play’s plot. Higdon (2004) highlights the consistencies between the play King Lear and the Book of Job where the tragedies and the troubles involved – including the coming of a whirlwind – teaches a lesson to the main character in somewhat biblical fashion. Many religious and secular perceptions are also evident in his plays. In King Lear, the death of Cordelia in the story confirms the concept that God’s judgments are unexplainable and anonymous to human kind. King Lear had a strong plot and despite its illustration of the tragedy involved, the play does build up a sense of harmony and Christian optimism. Other stories of Shakespeare such as Hamlet also present religious themes by illustrating the relationship between human capacity to reason and their moralities. The Christian concept of conduct plays a vital role and so does the concept of God. Such religious themes that refer to the Christian concepts of morals and accepted conduct therefore reflect Shakespeare’s familiarity with religious concepts as well as his knowledge of theological issues that were relevant during the time. Hamlet for one contains many references to the concept of right and wrong, human conscience, and morality. These references, although they exist between the lines, demonstrate the sophisticated use of religious themes in Shakespeare’s works to create an impact and impart his perspective on the religious matters that concerned religious groups during his time. To a great extent, the use of religious themes in Shakespeare’s plays have guided plots and supported the characterizations of the plays. As such, the theological themes and elements were of critical importance due to their complimentary nature that aimed to strengthen the stories and allow the writer to represent their perspective on the theological issues that were relevant to the people (Jackson et al 54)). The scriptures are regularly mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays and writings pointing to the fact that he was informed about the biblical scriptures and even studied them. Almost each writing by Shakespeare has some reference to religious elements that show theologically inspired stories and even theological ideas that are rooted in faith in good, evil, and fate. Many Christian virtues are also respected especially as Antonio in The Merchant of Venice is willing to sacrifice his life as it is upheld in Christianity in the presence of self-righteousness thereby exemplifying the ideal Christian life (Higdon, 2004). As Higdon (2004) notes this willing and desire to sacrifice in the face of righteousness, the character, Antonio, mimics Christ who himself sacrificed his life for the sins of others. Similarly, Antonio was willing to give his life to the Jew for the sake of his friend thus reflecting the perfect example of a Christian who is not afraid. This theme of sacrifice and righteousness reinforces the plot and adds an impact to the storyline. Because Shakespeare’s works reflect his knowledge of the religious scriptures and books, he was keen to use such themes in his works. Naturally, anyone studying the discipline of religion and theology is bound to reflect upon such concepts in their writings. Shakespeare did so too which is why his works are riddled with religious references and theological themes. Being a well informed individual and well read in terms of religion, Shakespeare’s writings also demonstrated a sense of spirituality, unlike denial of divinity. Scholars have often argued the presence of Reformation era rhetorics in his works although Hunt (2003) has pointed out that Shakespeare did not strictly belong to a single attitude and the fact that his opinions support both Catholicism and Protestantism can act to create peace. Religious themes have, nevertheless, been an important component of Shakespeare’s regardless of his views on different subject. On many instances, the religious concepts are anything but visible unless one analyzes the story to find out the consistencies between the plot and the characteristics of biblical stories, values, and even virtues. Therefore, Shakespeare’s works have used many religious themes drawing from the Bible in order to create a lasting impact on the readers, to build plots, drive storylines and even characters. At other times, the references are only meant to reflect the views of the writer regarding the contemporary issues based in religion and theology (Dollimore 24). Many biblical conflicts and controversies have also been depicted in his stories consistent with accepted depictions of, for example, Jews, Christians, ideal Christian life, virtues, and even moral obligations. Religion being an important part of the society then explains its impact on cultural discourses including literary writings and similar works by Shakespeare. In conclusion, the religious themes are consistent across many works by Shakespeare showing his knowledge of religious stories, notions, and ideas (Kastan 183). The presence of religious themes have only strengthened the plots and provided a way for the story to progress and the characters to develop with the storyline. Therefore, Shakespeare’s use of religious themes represents the social setting of the stories that were situated in contexts that were seldom indifferent from religious subtexts. References Higdon, S. (2004). Did Shakespeare use the Bible in his plays?. The Magazine. Retrieved 3 July 2015, from http://www.kennesaw.edu/themagazine/Higdon5.htm Hunt, M. (2003). Shakespeares religious allusiveness. Aldershot, Hants, England: Ashgate. Kastan, David S. A Will to Believe: Shakespeare and Religion. , 2014. Print. Jackson, Kenneth S, and Arthur F. Marotti. Shakespeare and Religion: Early Modern and Postmodern Perspectives. Notre Dame, Ind: University of Notre Dame Press, 2011. Print. Dollimore, Jonathan. Radical Tragedy: Religion, Ideology, and Power in the Drama of Shakespeare and His Contemporaries. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984. Print. Dutton, Richard, Alison Findlay, and Richard Wilson. Theatre and Religion: Lancastrian Shakespeare. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2003. Print. Frye, Roland M. Shakespeare and Christian Doctrine. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press, 1963. Print. Read More