The Quest for Shakespeare: The Bard of Avon and the Church of Rome

Joseph Pearrce has written an excellent, well researched work that clearly establishes Shakespeare's deep links to the Catholic Underground in Elizabethan/Jacobite England. Some reviewers have quibbled, however, that Pearce's case cannot positively establish that Will Shakespeare remained a Catholic in belief. Perhaps, but that says more about the silencing power of Elizabeth's reign of terror than it does about Will Shakespeare. For example, "Bostonian Reader" writes: "as a matter truth, we must admit that the case is one of plausibility and probability, with an enormous number of unanswered -- and probably unanswerable -- questions. Even admitting that Shakespeare was raised a Catholic (almost certain) and was persistently interested in traditional religious images and theological questions, we have no way of knowing what he personally believed -- the plays do not contain an explicit statement of faith. " Had a Shakespeare play contained an explicit statement of faith, the censor would have prohibited the performance and Will would have been rounded up by Walsingham's Gestapo, or at a minimum the pursuivants would have spied on him and nailed him (and everyone associated with him) for recusancy or more. Yet in the end, "Bostonian" is right in a sense. Elizabeth's effort to suppress the Catholic Religion was so vicious that the greatest writer in England's sorry history had to keep his mouth shut on his own beliefs. What Pearce unquestionably has accomplished, though, is equally valuable. First, he has laid out the deep connections Will had to the faithful remnant of the Catholic Church that remained in England during his life. Second, Pearce has laid out the reality of Elizabeth's Reign of Terror in such excruciating detail that we can well understand why Shakespeare did what he did: Why he left his property to the daughter who remained true to the Catholic Faith instead of to the one who had bent to the will of the all powerful English state. Why he never bought a house in London during his days there (because if he had, his "Anglican pastor" would have reported him so he could be punished for non-attendance at the Queen's church). Why he bought a house in London after he left London to retire in Stratford on Avon (because he wished to preserve the best Mass-House available in London for the secret offering of the Catholic Mass). Why the greatest writer in Elizabethan England never shed a tear or wrote anything in Elizabeth's favor when she died. The English Monarchy has tried so hard to establish the "Glory" of her Reign (by promoting use of the "Gloriana" name for her etc.), yet its greatest writer essentially dissed her!! In the end, Pearce's case is far more convincing than the quibbles of those who dispute it. We should not impose 21st Century American expectations on a person living in Elizabeth and James's 16-17th Century Police State. Shakespeare couldn't write about his beliefs explicitly because practice of the Cat

Joseph Pearce shows us convincingly the overwhelming evidence that Shakespeare was Catholic in a very objective manner, distinguishing always between facts that have proof to back them up and speculations that have only circumstantial evidence. This book is easy to read and imperative to understand Shakespeare and the times he lived in. Unfortunately, Pearce spends only one chapter (really an appendix) demonstrating how the knowledge of Shakespeare's Catholicity should affect our reading of his works, and the work he chooses is King Lear, not exactly one of the most famous of Shakespeare's plays. I wish he had chosen Hamlet or Macbeth. I hope that in the future, Pearce will do an in-depth study of more of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets.

Joseph Pearce has written the most delightful book on Shakespeare I've ever come across. First, because the man is truly a gifted writer and has a sense of humor. Second, because he quickly demolishes the many silly myths and weird theories around Shakespeare's life. He pokes gentle fun at the folks who think Elizabeth I wrote the plays, or Daniel Dafoe, or the Earl of Oxford. Next he puts those who want to use Shakespeare to make their own point about sex and religion in their ignoble places. Then he swiftly goes on to the gist of the book. Did Shakespeare in some form or fashion hang on to his Catholic faith in spite of the terrible persecution of the times? By looking at the evidence Pearce says yes, probably. His father was a discrete but resolute Catholic, his daughter Susanna was also a recussant. He was married by an ordained priest and lived in a town that was known for being a center of hard headed Catholicism. Like William Byrd he was probably excruciatingly careful--- he'd seen relatives and friends jailed and or killed for being Catholic afterall. Quest for Shakespeare is quick, clever and charming. I'm so glad I bought it.

Joseph Pearce has written a fascinating analysis of William Shakespeare's relationship to the Catholic Church. After reading it, I am convinced Shakespeare was a devoted Catholic and I also admire his family and all those other people who kept the faith alive under such severe persecution. It was one of those books that I found hard to put down. I was only vaguely aware of the conflict between Protestants and Catholics in that time period. It is easy to see how such horrendous religious intolerance led directly to the United States' enshrining freedom of religion in our constitution in the 18th Century. It certainly makes me appreciate America all the more. I also have a greater respect for William Shakespeare as a man, and for all those courageous martyrs who died in service to Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church. I am looking forward to revisiting Shakespeare's plays with this new perspective in mind.

Joseph Pearce proves Shakespeare's Catholicism with such a resounding slam dunk that it seems pointless to prolong any argument on the issue. Shakespeare was Catholic. Deal with it. It's time now to proceed to a serious discussion of the implications of this fact. And there are plenty of implications. I believe this book is going to have ramifications beyond even what the author might expect. By that, I mean the way it may affect one on a personal level. For anyone (such as myself) who was born into Protestantism and who has English ancestry, it's very sobering to be reminded by the historical facts presented in this book that not only were all of our English ancestors Catholic, but that, in all likelihood, our families became Protestants due to the considerable pressure of the state, and not by choice. It is also a bit painful when reading the biographical sketches of the various personalities whose lives touched Shakespeare, each of whom responded to the Elizabethan reign of terror in different ways, to consider how each of us may be remembered by future generations.