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