LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL REVIEW - Concordia Lutheran Seminary

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LTR XII (Academic Year 1999-2000): 6-19 REDEMPTIVE THEMES IN SHAKESPEARE 1 Frederic W. Baue INTRODUCTION y concern in this paper is not academic but pastoral. That is, my aim is not to develop a tightly-reasoned critical analysis for scholarly disputation, but rather to demonstrate in a simple way some redemptive themes in the plays of William Shakespeare: first, for the personal edification of pastors; second, to give them handy material for sermons. William Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. After a successful career as an actor and playwright in London, he returned in style to his home town, where he died in 1616. I visited Stratford in 1991 and spent a pleasant, sunny afternoon at the local church. There I saw records which demonstrate that Shakespeare was baptized at that congregation, held office as an active member, and received Christian burial in a state of grace. In fact, he was interred in the chancel, an honour granted only to the most prominent citizens. While he was honoured in life by kings, in death by his congregation, and ever since has been esteemed by the world, today Shakespeare is under attack. The Washington Times reports that Arizona State University fired drama professor Jared Sakren because of “his determination to stage works from the ‘sexist European canon,’ including Aeschylus, Ibsen, and—most egregiously—Shakespeare.” 2 According to a Philadelphia Inquirer story, “Shakespeare, Melville, Chaucer, and Dickens may be on the way out in San Francisco, where school board officials are considering a proposal that up to 70 per cent of school reading should be books by ‘authors of color.’” 3 M Why is Shakespeare under attack? Because his works, like those of other classic writers, form the foundation of western civilization. It is clear from his plays that Shakespeare holds traditional views on many subjects. Take the role of women in Taming of the Shrew, where the termagant Kate finally submits to her husband. Regarding government, his history plays such as Richard III show that men who abuse power always come to a bad end. On religion, his protestant sympathies can be seen in his positive treatment of Anne Bullen, or Boleyn, mother of Queen Elizabeth I, in Henry VIII, where 1 This essay was first presented to the LCMS English District Eastern Region Fall Conference, Atlantic City, NJ, 5-7 October 1998. 2 The Washington Times, National Weekly Edition, 11-17 May 1998, p. 23. 3 The Philadelphia Inquirer, 11 March 1998, p. A2.
BAUE: REDEMPTIVE THEMES IN SHAKESPEARE 7 the villainous Cardinal Woolsey calls her, “A spleeny <strong>Lutheran</strong>” (IV.ii.99). If Shakespeare upholds traditional values, those who are out to destroy western civilization must destroy him. We clergy who uphold traditional values in the area of religion find a hearty marching-companion in Shakespeare. His is a profoundly Christian mind, but one that expresses itself in drama. What are the tragedies but moral exempla of men who give themselves over to the passions of the Seven Deadly Sins? Julius Caesar cultivates superbia, or pride; Marc Antony, luxuria, or lechery; Othello, ira, or anger and jealousy. The tragedies give moral instruction by negative example. On the Gospel side of the coin, Shakespeare’s mind is equally active. As you read Shakespeare’s plays, you cannot help but be struck by how often the mystery of the faith is portrayed in dramatic action. That which was lost is often found, as Antipholus is in The Comedy of Errors. Unmerited forgiveness is granted to Proteus in Two Gentlemen of Verona. Prince Hal, a prodigal son if there ever was one, comes to himself in Henry IV. Portia pleads for mercy over justice in The Merchant of Venice. But the central episode of the divine comedy is the Death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps it is no surprise to find a resurrection worked out onstage in several comedies, such as Much Ado About Nothing. Shakespeare has been called “the mirror of mankind”. What pastor cannot benefit from a close acquaintance with the greatest author in the English language, whose works not only demonstrate Christian themes explicitly, but also reflect in precise detail the complete range of the human character, noble and base, tragic and comic? Blessed are ye who live in southern Ontario, and can attend the excellent live performances at Stratford. Many states and cities in America have Shakespeare festivals. Arise and go! Also, many fine productions of the most popular Shakespeare plays are available at your video store, or the A/V section of your area public or college library. Verily I say unto you, watch! LAW Now to homiletical application. There are two areas of theology to which Shakespeare can provide insight: Law and Gospel. As for the Law, consider how much wisdom and insight is contained in the traditional Mediaeval schema of the Seven Deadly Sins. Taken together, they comprise a complete psychology of the human condition. Chaucer’s “The Parson’s Tale”, usually excluded from college texts of The Canterbury Tales, is nothing other than a sermon on these seven sins. Likewise, Shakespeare deals with these sins in several plays.
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