Shakespeare and religion: early modern and postmodern perspectives

Abstract

The topic of is a perennial one, the recent turn to religion in historical literary scholarship has pushed it to the fore. Besides speculating about Shakespeare's personal religious beliefs allegiance, historians literary critics writing about early modern England are reexamining the religious dynamics of the period emphasizing the ways in which old, new, emerging religious cultures coexisted in conflicting hybrid unstable forms.The contributors to Shakespeare Religion: Early Modern Postmodern Perspectives deal with the topic of from two points of view not always considered complementary--that of the historical approach to Shakespearean drama in its early modern contexts, that of postmodern philosophy theology. The first illuminates the culture-specific features of the plays, whereas the second emphasizes their transhistorical qualities the relevance of the deep religious philosophical issues surfacing in early modern culture to contemporary religious struggles awareness.Religion has assumed a surprising centrality in contemporary studies, generating an abundance of historical insights alongside a burgeoning interest in the spiritual possibilities of the plays for us today. This collection eschews either take on the field, preferring a more comprehensive view. It brings together nearly all the people one would most want to read on the topic, the essays are notable for their lively seriousness. Here, the topic of is a burning brand with which to illuminate the past and the present. A stimulating book! -- Ewan Fernie, The Institute, University of BirminghamShakespeare Religion: Early Modern Postmodern Perspectives is lively, provocative, original, sure to occupy an important scholarly place within ongoing efforts to reinterpret in Shakespeare's works world. The authors push scholarship on past new historicism in productive, compelling directions. --Phebe Jensen, Utah State UniversityThis collection brings together a distinguished body of scholars to consider Shakespeare's treatment of religious issues, as read against his times our own. its essays offer innovative, sharp, sometimes startling revaluations offamiliar texts topics, likely to capture the interest of students as wellas academic researchers. The recent 'turn to religion' in early modern literary studies, the related move towards seeing as an author deeply engaged with religious matters, is powerfully exemplified in these pages. --Alison E. M. Shell, UniversityCollege London