Filling in the Holes in the Biography of William Shakespeare

There is an argument that suggests that Sidney’s writing gradually begins to show some disillusionment with English Protestantism and an increasing sympathy for the plight of the English Catholics.25  I know that many may not buy this idea but, it is important to see that the possibility may exist of at least sympathy for the plight of the Catholics in England.

We see that the Bard’s life was filled with Catholic influences and surroundings and that his works have numerous references to Catholic ideas.  A very excellent case can and has been made by a number of scholars.  This idea is not simply a conspiracy theory but, it still has the ‘juiciness’ of one.  In fact, I feel that the solid scholarship that is behind this idea of a Catholic Shakespeare makes it that much ‘juicer.’

So What?

Why does this matter?  One might ask about the significance of all of this.  Dickson has some ideas about why it matters.  He highlights the fact the Protestant identity has been a crucial part of the English identity.  So crucial, that scholars of the 19th Century would have called this whole idea “unthinkable” and, probably even, “repugnant.”  Dickson writes,

"The reason for […] hostility toward a Catholic Bard is that for more than three centuries and on both sides of the Atlantic the twin pillars of Anglo-Saxon culture of the English speaking peoples, have been the King James Version of the Bible […] and the works of William Shakespeare […] The British achieved national self-definition not only through military achievements on the battlefield or the high seas […] but through this magnificent tradition of the Bible and the simultaneous flourishing of English literature and theater, of which the apex was the great Bard […] English nationalism and Protestantism, which had, by the early 1600s, become inextricably intertwined, leaving virtually no room for a Catholic tradition to survive in England." 27

England and most English speakers were Protestant.  The fact the Bard has been and is the greatest cultural icon of the English is important and if Shakespeare was, in actuality, Catholic then that would have a tremendous impact on his status a symbol.

An important issue in regards to the Bard’s Catholicism is the impact that it would have had on his own life.  Greenblatt and Dickson both weigh in on this and point out that he would have been under tremendous stress in trying to keep this double consciousness going.  He would have been stressed in his dramatic and poetic productions but also in life.  He and his work were likely under close observation by the censor and the need to repress ones urges twice is powerful.28

It is unlikely that Shakespeare will be given up as the greatest production and producer of English culture and language but, his status will have to be revised.  It is clear that Catholic values and religion were a part of his life from childhood all the way through his own family and into his death.  Well argued and respected scholars see the instances of Catholic ideas and religion in his works and even those who ultimately think he was a protestant have a hard time disproving the possibility of Catholicism playing a major role in his life. Maybe, after all, there is nothing wrong with dying “a papist.”29

1.) Leith, Sam. “The Everlasting Guessing Game. (Shakespeare: The Biography) (Shadowplay: The Hidden Beliefs and Coded Politics of William Shakespeare)(Book Review).” Spectator. Sept 17, 2005. Infotrac. Accessed Oct 26 2005.

2.) Wackerman, Daniel. “To be or Not to be (Catholic, That is).” America.  May 18, 1996. Infotrac. Accessed on Oct 26, 2005.

3.) Greenblatt, Stephen. Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare. New York. W.W. Norton & Company. 2004. pg 59.

4.) Wackerman.

5.) Berry, Ralph. “Shakespeare and the Catholic Network.” Contemporary Review. April 2005. Infotrac. Accessed Nov 29, 2005.

6.) Greenblatt. pg 89.

7.) Wackerman.

8.) Greenblatt. pg 98.

9.) Mayer, Jean-Christophe. “’this Papist and his poet’: Shakespeare’s Lancastrian Kings and Robert Parson’s Conference About the Next Succession.” Theatre and Religion: Lancastrian Shakespeare  Ed. Richard Dutton, Alison Findlay, and Richard Wilson.  New York: Manchester University Press. 2003. pg 117.

10.) Dickson, Peter. “Bardgate: was Shakespeare a Secret Catholic?” The Oxfordian. Annual 2003. Infotrac. Accessed on Nov 29, 2005.

11.) Dickson, Peter.

12.) Wackerman.

13.) Dickson, Peter.

14.) Grace, Tiffany. “Hamlet and Protestant Aural Theater.” Christianity and Literature. Spring 2003. Infotrac. Accessed on Oct 26, 2005.

15.) Asquith, Clare. Shadowplay: The Hidden Politics and Coded Beliefs of William Shakespeare. New York. PublicAffairs. 2005. pg xv.

16.) Asquith, Clare. pg 31.

17.) Asquith, Clare. pg 130.

18.) Kehler, Dorothea. “The First Quarto of Hamlet: Reforming Widow Gertred.” Shakespeare Quarterly. Winter 1995 JStor. Accessed on Oct 26, 2005.

19.) Asquith, Clare. pg 153.

20.) Matheson, Mark. “Hamlet and ‘A Matter Tender and Dangerous.’” Shakespeare Quarterly. Winter 1995. JStor. Accessed on Oct 26, 2005.

21.) Kilroy, Gerard. “Requiem for a Prince.” Theatre and Religion: Lancastrian Shakespeare  Ed. Richard Dutton, Alison Findlay, and Richard Wilson.  New York: Manchester University Press. 2003. pg 146.

22.) Kilroy, Gerard. pg 152.

23.) Asquith. pg 147.

24.) Asquith. pg 148.

25.) Asquith. Pg 147.

26.) Asquith, 150 & Hamlet I.v.20.

27.) Dickson, Peter.

28.) Dickson, Peter.

29.) Milward, Peter. “Shakespeare’s Jesuit Schoolmasters.” Theatre and Religion: Lancastrian Shakespeare  Ed. Richard Dutton, Alison Findlay, and Richard Wilson.  New York: Manchester University Press. 2003. pg 69.  NOTE: Original quote attributed to a 17^th Century Anglican clergy member named Richard Davies.