Religious References in Shakespeare Plays - 2707 Words

William Shakespeare’s plays take place in a variety of settings- from early modern England to distant, otherworldly islands. They address a multitude of topics ranging from love to politics, which were often relevant to current events of the time, such as colonization or the Protestant Reformation. This social and political commentary, cleverly masked so as to avoid censorship and create humor, has become a topic of interest for literary and historical scholars alike. Shakespeare’s use of symbolism and metaphor is still very open for interpretation, and leads many conversations regarding his work. Specifically, his use of Christian themes and ideas in non-Christian settings, such as the island in The Tempest or Rome in Titus Andronicus, is interesting with regards to life in England at the time, as well as in the rest of the world. While some of these references may have gone over the heads of his audiences, many of them certainly did not, and as a result, we can look t o them for an accurate representation of the religious, political, and social climates in Elizabethan England. In order to better understand the significance of any references within Shakespeare’s works, as well as to how they were applicable to life in sixteenth century England, one must first have a fundamental grasp on the general atmosphere of the time with regards to issues such as religion and politics. Remarkably different from most Christian churches today, the sixteenth century Church of EnglandShow MoreRelatedReligion in Hamlet Essay1149 Words   |  5 Pagesfamous tragedies William Shakespeare has ever written. Found throughout Shakespeare’s tragedy are many religious references. 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This period embodies the work of Sir Philip Sidney, Edmund Spenser, Christopher Marlowe, the well-known, William Shakespeare, and various other writers. Literary expression was an important part of the Elizabethan era, in which a variety of themes and outlines endured while others seemed to fade or darken. This was a time where national pride to influenced contemporaryRead More Essay on Religion in the Works of William Shakespeare1720 Words   |  7 PagesWorks of Shakespeare       The purpose of this essay is to explore the religious nature of William Shakespeares plays. This essay covers three topics surrounding Shakespeares work: the religious climate of 16th Century England, Shakespeares upbringing (school, parents, Stratford itself), and a brief introduction into the impact his society and upbringing had upon his work.    I. 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Hamlet’s soliloquy in act four scene four, lines 33-66, targets the original Elizabethan audience by displaying cultural, social and economic aspects of that time period. In order to engage the audience, Shakespeare incorporates a large portion of the Elizabethan culture, which is religion. Throughout the play, there are countless references to the religionRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Hamlet - Suicide And Selfhood Essay1365 Words   |  6 Pagestrue† (Shakespeare 1.3.78)--suicide and selfhood: two issues that Hamlet ruminates on throughout Hamlet. Shakespeare reveals the connection between these two ideas through his references to Christianity throughout the play. By juxtaposing characters’ treatment of suicide and murder--two equally grave sins in a world governed by Christian morals--Shakespeare presents suicide as the greater sin because it represents something worse: the annihilation of the self. Through this contrast, Shakespeare reveals