Shadowplay: The Hidden Beliefs and Coded Politics of William Shakespeare

This book is an incredible accomplishment. Clare Asquith has revealed a history of the Protestant reformation in late 16th century England that must have some of the persecuted dead rejoicing from their graves. This is less a book than a revelation. It hardly seems possible that Shakespeares' plays could be even more brilliant and more penetrating then they are already reveared ro be. But that is exactly the case. Mrs. Asquith shows us that with allegory and uncanny symbolism Shakespeare chronicles the history of his country's persecution of Catholics. Written from the vantage point of his own family's persecuted Catholic roots, his plays were a guarded appeal to the Queen herself and the nobility of the day to heal the deep wound suffered when England's faithful became divided.

This book is worth its price even just for its precis of 16th-century British history. In addition, there are useful summaries of most plays. The principal thesis is that Shakespeare's writings constituted a plea for religious toleration, a plea that could have cost him exile or even his head. All the brilliance for which he is famous was accomplished with this carefully encoded goal in mind. Occasional apparent missteps in his artistry gain explicability under this new light. It's like seeing the universe after repairing the Hubble Telescope. The notion that someone else must have written Shakespeare's works vanishes like a mirage. Clare Asquith presents a formidable case in elegant prose that is a joy to read in itself. This book all but obsoletes almost all that has ever been written on Shakespeare. Buy, read, enjoy!

Claire Asquith's book is without a doubt one of the most fascinating and stimulating books about the English Reformation that I have ever read. Of the 150 or so books that I have read in the past 5 years it has to be in the top five.

In 16th century England loyal subjects were asked to either serve their monarch or their God, creating a break between God and country which widened into a vast theological/political conflict under Elizabeth 1. Executions and terror arise - through it all one of the most famous figures of his times, William Shakespeare, seemingly made no comment about affairs - or did he? Clare Asquith, a Shakespeare scholar, traces the common code used covertly by writers of his times and reveals the master of the code himself - Shakespeare. His attacks and exposes of the crown are seen from a new perspective, examining his work and his code and its impact. A fascinating study.