Part 3 in the Triumph of
William Shakespeare
Bard of Avon, Poet of England
Let all Americans study the life and plays of Shakespeare because the society that produced William Shakespeare produced America. A totalitarian government sent men seeking liberty by creating new worlds – whether in the theatrical imaginings of our minds or in the paradise across the sea called “America.” These brave new worlds spoke of the beautiful potential of mankind.
Moreover, let all Christians study Shakespeare, he is among the first generation born after the Protestant-rending of Christendom, his life rooted close enough to ancient Catholicism to be a valuable historian while also still firmly planted in a brave new world that provides great insight into future revolutions, reformations, and upheavals.
Lastly, let all Catholics study Shakespeare, this great hero produced the greatest canon of Catholic literature since the New Testament was penned in the streets and jails of the Roman Empire. Not since the first century, when rebel leaders took the good news of peace throughout the known world, has a canon of writings done more to battle evil, fight sin, defeat tyrants, expose devils, and conquer death. Let Shakespeare teach us how neither sin nor death dominate, the covering cast over all peoples is torn, and eternal life bursts into our brave new world.
How beauteous Shakespeare is! And how much he teaches us about the bride of Jesus!
Contents
Christendom
Devils Disguised As Saints
Eh Tu, Henri?
I Am Christian
None of Woman Born
Tread Upon His Neck
E Pluribus Unam
“I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things from the wise
and learned, you have revealed them to the childlike.”
– Jesus of Nazareth, Lord of Lords