Seeming Knowledge: Shakespeare and Skeptical Faith

Studies in Christianity and Literature

by John D. Cox

Seeming Knowledge revisits the question of Shakespeare and religion by focusing on the conjunction of faith and skepticism in his writing. Cox argues that the relationship between faith and skepticism is not an invented conjunction. The recognition of the history of faith and skepticism in the sixteenth century illuminates a tradition that Shakespeare inherited and represented more subtly and effectively than any other writer of his generation.

348 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Andrew Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shakespeare fascinates for many reasons and not least for his enigmatic qualities. WS seems to be skeptical about everything and this has raised doubts as to whether he believed in anything at all besides the interaction of his characters on stage and the poetry they speak. Cox's book is an important contribution to the debate about WS's religious beliefs or lack of them.

Cox locates the skepticism in WS not in ontology but in the human heart. That is, we are deceived about reality when we are deceived about ourselves. WS uncovers our tendencies to not face our motives for our actions and thus be deceived on what we are really doing. Self-righteous Phariseeism is a particular good route for self-deception as "Measure for Measure illustrates in depth. Political power is almost a sure guarantee for self-deception. Our tendencies toward self-deception put us in strong need for forgiveness, another theme threading through this book with Cox' comments on King Lear being particular powerful.

All of this is put into the context of contemporary religious thought and that of immediately successive generations where WS' style of skepticism is contrasted with that of Descartes and compared with Montesquieu & Pascal. Highly recommended for Shakespeare buffs interested in religious issues.