Michael Brooks
Shakespeare's religious beliefs have been a topic of debate for centuries, with some scholars arguing that he was a Catholic, while others claim he was a Protestant. Shakespeare's plays contain references to both Catholic and Protestant beliefs, and it is known that he was legally obliged to attend Church of England services. His family, however, had strong Catholic connections, and his mother's family were among the most notorious recusant families in England. Shakespeare's work reflects the religious culture of his time, with Catholicism and Protestantism often at odds. The religious beliefs of his audience were diverse, with some identifying as Protestant, while others held Catholic sympathies or practised Catholicism secretly.
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What You'll Learn
Shakespeare's family were Catholic
It is believed that Shakespeare's family may have been Catholic, or at least sympathetic to Catholicism, during a time when England was officially Anglican and practising Catholicism was illegal. This is a topic that has been widely debated by scholars, and while no definitive proof exists, there is substantial circumstantial evidence to support this theory.
Shakespeare's mother, Mary Arden, came from a prominent Catholic family. The Ardens were known for their strong Catholic ties and had been fined for not attending Protestant church services during the reign of Elizabeth I. Shakespeare's father, John Shakespeare, is also believed to have had Catholic sympathies. He had served as a municipal official in Stratford-upon-Avon, a position that would have required him to take an oath renouncing the Catholic faith. However, there is evidence suggesting that John may have secretly maintained his Catholic beliefs.
One of the most compelling pieces of evidence linking Shakespeare's family to Catholicism is the will of his daughter, Susanna. In it, she leaves money to a woman named Judith Sadler with the request that she pray for her soul, a practice more commonly associated with Catholicism than Anglicanism. Shakespeare's purchase of tithes from Stratford's Catholic Bishop in 1592 has also been interpreted as a potential sign of his Catholic sympathies, as it could suggest a level of comfort and familiarity with Catholic practices.
Furthermore, Shakespeare's works themselves contain hints of Catholic influence. For example, the character of Sir John Falstaff, who appears in several of Shakespeare's plays, has been interpreted by some scholars as a representation of Catholic values. Falstaff's indulgent, hedonistic nature has been seen as a critique of Puritanism, which was strongly anti-Catholic. Additionally, certain themes and motifs in Shakespeare's plays, such as the use of confession and the presence of supernatural elements, have been interpreted as reflecting a Catholic worldview.
While it is impossible to know with certainty the religious beliefs of Shakespeare and his family, the available evidence certainly suggests that they may have had Catholic sympathies. This potential Catholic context adds an intriguing layer of complexity to our understanding of Shakespeare's life and works, offering new insights and interpretations for scholars and enthusiasts alike.
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Shakespeare's work contains Catholic references
Other scholars, such as Frank Kermode, argue that if Shakespeare was a Catholic, it is strange that there are no unequivocal traces of his beliefs in his plays. Literary editor Bishop Warburton declared that Shakespeare's references to the Jesuits would have been a direct reminder of Catholic treason in the "Gunpowder Plot" to his audience.
Shakespeare's works also contain references to the Bible, and scholars disagree on which Protestant Bible was his main source. Daniell believes that Shakespeare used Protestant martyr William Tyndale's translations of the Gospels, and that Julius Caesar and Hamlet reflect Shakespeare writing Pauline theology in a Calvinist mode. However, Shakespeare's works also echo both Protestant and Catholic translations of the Bible, with some forty verbal correspondences to the 1582 Rheims New Testament, and they conflict with the Elizabethan Homilies on at least ten theological topics, such as purgatory, prayers for the dead, and indulgences.
Shakespeare's works also contain examples of Protestant sympathies, such as the denouncement of the Pope as an "unworthy and ridiculous... Italian priest" with "usurped authority" in King John. Literary critic David Kastan sees no inconsistency in a Protestant dramatist lampooning the martyr Oldcastle in the play Henry IV, as a contemporary audience would have identified Shakespeare's unsympathetic portrayal as a proof of his Protestantism.
Ultimately, while Shakespeare's work contains Catholic references, the interpretation of these references is complex and subject to ongoing debate among scholars.
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Shakespeare's work contains Protestant references
A quick Google search reveals that the religious makeup of Shakespeare's audience is a subject of some debate among scholars. While it is difficult to know with certainty the religious affiliations of all of Shakespeare's audience members, it is important to note that Shakespeare's works do contain references to Protestantism and the Protestant Bible.
Shakespeare lived and wrote during a time of religious flux in England. The country had recently broken away from the Catholic Church and established the Church of England, which blended Catholic and Protestant traditions. Elizabeth I, who was queen during most of Shakespeare's career, was a moderate Protestant who sought to find a middle path between the two religions.
Despite this atmosphere of religious compromise, Shakespeare's works do show signs of Protestant influence. For example, in "The Merchant of Venice," Shylock's famous "Hath not a Jew eyes?" speech echoes the language of the Protestant Bible, specifically the King James Version, which was published in 1611 and would have been familiar to Shakespeare and his audience.
Additionally, many of Shakespeare's history plays, such as "Richard II" and "Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2," reflect a Protestant worldview. These plays often justify rebellion and regicide, which would have been controversial ideas to Catholic audiences, as they generally uphold the divine right of kings. However, these plays would have resonated with Protestant audiences, who believed that monarchs were subject to the will of God and could be removed if they acted unjustly.
Shakespeare's "problem plays," such as "Measure for Measure" and "All's Well That Ends Well," also engage with specifically Protestant concepts of sin, grace, and redemption. In these plays, characters often struggle with issues of moral ambiguity and the conflict between law and mercy, reflecting a Protestant concern with individual conscience and salvation.
Finally, it is worth noting that the Globe Theatre, where many of Shakespeare's plays were performed, was located in a predominantly Protestant part of London. While this does not necessarily reflect the religious makeup of the audience, it does suggest that Shakespeare was writing for a largely Protestant community. So, while we cannot know with certainty the religious affiliations of all of Shakespeare's audience members, the presence of Protestant references in his works suggests that he was at least mindful of, and perhaps writing for, a Protestant audience.
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Shakespeare's audience's religious beliefs
Shakespeare's audience, like Shakespeare himself, lived in a time of religious conflict and change. The Reformation and Counter-Reformation movements were ongoing in England and across Europe, and the country was in the process of shifting from Catholicism to Protestantism. This shift was not without opposition, and there were rebellions of Catholic earls in the north in 1569 and 1570, resulting in Elizabeth being excommunicated. Catholics were absolved of their duty to obey the sovereign and were even encouraged to assassinate her. Despite this, outward conformity was necessary to avoid fines, and many people lived a double life, secretly practising Catholicism.
Shakespeare's plays engaged with the religious concerns of his time through often contradictory tropes. His works included both Protestant and Catholic translations of the Bible, conflicting with the Elizabethan Homilies on theological topics such as purgatory, prayers for the dead, and indulgences. His audiences would have been well-versed in the Bible and would have been able to quickly understand his meaning.
The presence of religious themes and characters with unique religious beliefs in Shakespeare's plays does not necessarily reflect his personal faith or that of his audience. Literary scholar David Daniell argues that Shakespeare was a good Protestant who used biblical allusions and quotations in his works to connect with his audience. On the other hand, David Beauregard points out the Catholic influences in his works, suggesting that Shakespeare was playing upon English Catholic traditions to embellish his theatre.
It is challenging to determine the religious beliefs of Shakespeare's audience, as they likely consisted of individuals with varying degrees of religious adherence and practices, reflecting the complex and fluid religious landscape of early modern England. While Protestantism was the official state religion, the reality was more diverse, with competing religious perspectives and the slow rise of secular thinking.
Some scholars argue that Shakespeare's works reflect the Catholic sympathies and sensibilities that were an integral part of theatrical life in London during his time. However, others, like Frank Kermode, contend that if Shakespeare had been a lifelong Catholic, one would expect to find more unequivocal traces of Catholic beliefs in his plays. The absence of such traces suggests that Shakespeare's personal faith, and by extension, the faith of his audience, remains a mystery.
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Shakespeare's religious beliefs
Some scholars have argued that Shakespeare had connections to Catholicism through his family and schoolteachers. This is supported by the fact that his plays echo both Protestant and Catholic translations of the Bible, with some seeing this as evidence of his Catholic leanings. Literary scholar David Daniell, however, argues that Shakespeare used biblical allusions and quotations simply because his audience was well-versed in the Bible. Others, like David Beauregard, point to instances in Shakespeare's plays that conflict with Protestant teachings on topics such as purgatory, prayers for the dead, and pilgrimages.
Shakespeare's frequent references to Pagan gods and concepts have also been noted, but these are thought to be a necessary device to present deity on stage, where Christian figures were prohibited. Literary editor Bishop Warburton claimed that Shakespeare's portrayal of the policy of equivocation would have reminded Jacobean playgoers of Catholic treason in the Gunpowder Plot. However, it is important to note that Shakespeare's plays also contain strong examples of Protestant sympathies, such as the denouncement of the Pope as an "unworthy and ridiculous Italian priest" in King John.
While some scholars have attempted to label Shakespeare as either Catholic or Protestant, many acknowledge that it is impossible to define his personal creed with certainty. Shakespeare's works reflect the complex religious landscape of his time, with the playwright himself appearing to hold a healthy skepticism towards religion. As David Kastan notes, we know a lot about the religious life of England during Shakespeare's time, but we don't know what Shakespeare himself believed. This sentiment is echoed by Frank Kermode, who finds it strange that no unequivocal trace of Catholic or Protestant beliefs can be found in Shakespeare's plays if he were, in fact, a devout follower of either faith.
Ultimately, Shakespeare's religious beliefs remain a mystery, and it is unlikely that we will ever know the truth with certainty.
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Frequently asked questions
Shakespeare was legally obliged to attend Church of England services, making him officially a Protestant. However, there is evidence that suggests he had connections to Roman Catholicism through his family and school teachers.
Shakespeare's plays engaged audiences with the religious concerns of the time through often contradictory tropes. The religious culture of Shakespeare’s day was inseparable from English culture, with Catholicism and Protestantism continually at odds. With the advent of reformed thinking, numerous religious beliefs emerged, and the rise of secular thinking challenged the traditional binary.
Shakespeare's plays contained references to both Catholic and Protestant beliefs, allowing them to resonate with a broad audience. His works included allusions to Catholic ceremony and symbolism, as well as Protestant biblical quotations, reflecting the hybrid faith of the time.
