Shakespeare's Hybrid Faith: History, Religion and the Stage

by J. Mayer

Overview

This book throws new light on the issue of the dramatist's religious orientation by dismissing sectarian and one-sided theories, tackling the problem from the angle of the variegated Elizabethan context recently uncovered by modern historians and theatre scholars. It is argued that faith was a quest rather than a quiet certainty for the playwright.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780230005259
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	08/04/2006
Series:	Early Modern Literature in History Series
Edition description:	2006
Pages:	235
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.03(d)

About the Author

JEAN-CHRISTOPHER MAYER is a senior research fellow employed by the French National Centre for Scientific Research.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction: Shakespeare's Hybrid Faith Theatre, Witchcraft and the Crisis of Faith in King Henry VI, Parts 1 and 2 Acting the Insubstantial in King Richard III Religious Conscience and the Struggle for the Succession in Richard II "So mak'st thou faith an enemy to faith"- Religion, Propaganda and Dreams of National Unity in King John The Discovery of a "Popish Plot"? The Chamberlain's Men and the 1601 Essex Rising Revisiting the Reformation: Shakespeare and Fletcher's King Henry VIII Conclusion Notes Select Bibliography Index

Editorial Reviews

'Jean-Christophe Mayer's book...very welcome, as a well-written, responsible, refreshingly sane contrubtion to a debate where overstatement on both sides has been so prevalent and sometimes so damaging'. - Times Literary Supplement

'Mayer's quizzical approach makes this book rewardingly level-headed.' - Dr. Woods, Church Times

'... this book is historically insightful and convincingly demonstrates the hybrid nature of religion in Elizabethan society... Mayer's book is a useful tool for understanding the religiously infused political atmosphere in which Shakespeare lived.' - Katherine Wilkinson, Early Modern Literary Studies

'... thoroughly researched, fresh in approach, and readable.' - Paul Dean, English Studies

From the Publisher