Why Study Shakespeare?
Norman J. Lund, Ph.D.
Shakespeare never grows old. He continues to inspire each new generation. That’s one of the reasons why he is so much fun to teach, and also why he holds such a high place in classic literature. But is that enough reason to study him? Actually, there are at least three very important reasons to study Shakespeare. They are: an enlightened literary appreciation; an expanded Biblical worldview; and an enriched cultural literacy.
An Enlightened
Literary Appreciation
The first reason
to study Shakespeare is the rare quality of his work.
He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in all of English literature. Although Shakespeare composed a
wealth of exquisite, enduring poetry (especially the Sonnets), he devoted himself
primarily to the theater. His genius is evident both in the breadth and the depth of
some three dozen plays, many of which are counted among the greatest works in English
literature. Examples of Shakespeare’s
genius include: the richness of his literary devices; the compelling drama of his plots;
the penetrating nature of his characterizations; the universal interest and appeal in his
dialogs and monologues; his delightful sense of humor; his enduring wisdom and wit; and
his many famous, unforgettable lines. He
continues to be the most-quoted author in the English language. For instance, who hasn’t heard the line,
“All the world’s a stage”?
Shakespeare was an outstanding observer and communicator of human character.
Many of his characters have become immortal in the sense that they capture types which are
universal. Students today continue to
identify with them and their struggles. There
is much profit to be gained from comparing and contrasting Shakespeare's characters with
each other, and from learning the reasons for their strengths and weaknesses. It is to Shakespeare’s credit that he conveyed
these insights in such an effective and entertaining literary medium.
An Expanded
Biblical Worldview
The influence of a Biblical worldview is evident throughout Shakespeare’s
work. His plots are ripe with Biblical
principles, lessons and truths. Take, for
example, this short summary of themes from some of his most famous plays. Hamlet deals
with the theme of revenge, and teaches that “Vengeance
is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Rom.
It is evident that Shakespeare wrote from a
God-centered, redemptive perspective. As the Christian writer and English professor,
Louise Cowan, says in her popular and delightful Invitation to the Classics (A
Guide to Books You’ve Always Wanted to Read): “Shakespeare saw life as leading
to a final end of reconciliation and love." It is this Biblically based
optimism and foundation for hope which inspired Shakespeare's ’comic’
(happy-ending) view of the world.
In his comedies, Shakespeare depicted a world of love and joy, filled with faith
and forgiveness, and leading to a happy end. However,
as in real life, the happy endings never come without a struggle. Inevitably the heroes and heroines must face
obstacles and threats which can only be resolved through faith and hope, and through
redemptive strategies whereby love finds a way. In
the tragedies, the challenge or obstacle is the pride of a tragic hero who suffers
some downfall. The challenge of the hero is to respond to the downfall with
humility and repentance. Will the hero submit his pride to truth and justice (and
ultimately, to God), or will he remain fixed in a defiance which demands his own
way? To quote Cowan again, will the hero "submit to a power higher than his own
pride or continue with himself as the center of existence"? Othello and Macbeth choose self; Hamlet and Lear
allow themselves to be remade.
There are few stories which take a
reader deeper into a Biblical view of the world than those of Shakespeare. Sin and repentance; judgment and redemption; the
law and the Gospel—the great themes are all there.
In our current cultural context, it is easy to forget the contributions of
Christianity to Western civilization, in general, and to great literature, in particular. The study of Shakespeare is a good reminder.
An enriched cultural literacy
Given the magnitude of his contribution, it is no wonder that E.D. Hirsch insists
that a healthy knowledge of Shakespeare is essential to a basic, “cultural
literacy.” What Christians often forget is that cultural literacy
is crucial for evangelism. Shakespeare
provides a wonderful “bridge” for discussing the great questions of life, and
for introducing the answers of Scripture. I
can still remember hearing a sermon, when I was just a youth, about Hamlet and his
struggle for a reason to live. God used the
story of Hamlet to speak the Gospel to me in a fresh and powerful way.
Forty years ago J. B. Phillips wrote the little classic, Your God Is Too Small. His book struck a nerve in the Christian community. We so quickly fall into idolatry, settling for our
own, static images of the Almighty, and forgetting the infinite power and holiness of the
true and living God. We forget that God is at
work all the time, all around us, and that God does not “leave himself without
witness” (Acts 14:17).
In the book Peace Child, Don Richardson has written about his experiences as
a missionary to the Sawi tribe of cannibals in
Out of this experience
I believe that Shakespeare is one of the gifts which God has provided for us as a
rich source of “cultural bridges” and “redemptive analogies.” Students of Shakespeare are richly rewarded for
their efforts. He offers so many treasures
and delights, including: an enlightened literary appreciation; an expanded
Biblical worldview; and an enriched cultural literacy.