SHAKESPEARE: HIS RELIGIOUS AND MORAL SENTIMENTS; GEMS Gathered from his Writings. BY H. F. GOODSON. "The treasury of everlasting joy."-2 Hen. VI, a. 2, sc. i. What I speak My body shall make good upon this earth, R. II, a. I, s. i. PREFACE. HIS selection is intended, as far as possible, to solve the questions asked every day--Was SHAKESPEARE a religious man? What was his religion; and what his estimation of those things which most men hold vital? The compiler, to satisfy himself, undertook the task of searching the writings of the great poet, with more than ordinary diligence, and, is now induced to give to others the benefit of his research ---without comment upon the quotations. Upon their perusal it will not, he thinks, be denied that three great points are established: first, that SHAKESPEARE was undoubtedly a believer in GOD; secondly, that he was a profound believer 325 1874 DEC-4 1901 154311 in the immortality of the soul; and, thirdly, that he believed in the Crucifixion, and in the Divinity of the Crucified. And if it be true that man's merciful bearing towards the dumb creation may be taken as a sign of reverence for GOD, then was SHAKESPEARE essentially a religious man; for, throughout his works there runs a vein of kindness to animals, which is unmistakable. It may be said that a dramatist-as such-only expresses the thoughts, and delineates the characters of those whom he selects for his piece; but, in the case of SHAKESPEARE, a careful study of the following gems, gathered from his writings, will, the compiler believes, satisfy the most sceptical, that what he made others say, in his heart he himself believed. I From the esteem in which he was held by his contemporaries-the frequency and evident sincerity with which religious sentiments are spoken by his numerous characters-and the solemn words of his 4 Will- -we may conclude that SHAKESPEARE was not only a great, but a good man. As ages roll on, admiration for our gifted Poet increases, and time seems but to add additional lustre to his name: and if there be sermons in stones and running brooks, there is scarcely a line of the accompanying selection that will not afford a theme for profitable and pleasing thought. 5, Bennett's Hill, Birmingham, 13th Argust, 1874. |