Was Shakespeare Catholic? (Guest: Joseph Pearce)

William Shakespeare is the greatest playwright of all time. Was he also a secret Catholic?
Links:
• The Quest for Shakespeare: ignatius.com/the-quest-for-sh...
• Through Shakespeare's Eyes: ignatius.com/through-shakespe...
• Shakespeare on Love: ignatius.com/shakespeare-on-l...
• Ignatius Critical Editions Shakespeare Set: ignatius.com/classic-shakespe...
• Joseph Pearce website: jpearce.co/

[@mf2065]

There is a book by Claire Asquith called Shadowplay, which posits that all the plays are about Catholicism. Its an enjoyable read, and I would recommend it, whether you agree with the central premise or not

[@bradyandjodi1]

Thanks for this great interview.

[@greatestever6738]

Eric, great job on this interview. I own a book by Joseph Pearce and I really have enjoyed it.

[@jeaninenarayanan4596]

What a great interview!

[@siena4ever751]

Thank you Joseph. Brilliant research.

[@brazenzebra]

Excellent! Thank you. I believe Christopher Marlowe actually wrote all the works attributed to Shakespeare. Just like Joseph Pearce himself, Marlowe converted to Catholicism in 1593. He faked his death to escape likely torture and execution by the Protestant inquisition of the time. He lived in exile on the island of Malta from 1593 to 1611. Catholic historians should look in Malta (and the near vicinity of Sicily and Naples) for evidence of Marlowe. His alias was William Watts. Marlowe's true story is an epic tale as fascinating as that of St. Paul the Apostle. Although unmercifully smeared, Marlowe is in my mind Saint Christopher Marlowe.

[@oliversanderson8665]

Any book / source I could read that argues Marlowe wrote Shakespeare's plays?

[@dannyb1379]

@@oliversanderson8665 I wouldn't waste your time, this is considered a fringe theory for a reason. Namely that there is no substantial evidence to support it. People have, at one time or another, proposed nearly 100 candidates as the "real" Shakespeare. He could have been the Earl of Oxford or Sir Francis Bacon or the Earl of Derby or Mary Queen of Scots! The only reason these theories exist is to explain away the discord between Shakespeare's humble origins and his immense genius demonstrated in his plays and poetry. If his plays weren't so grand and so influential, no one would bother trying to dethrone him as author.

[@HkFinn83]

Of all the conspiracy theories I’ve seen, the Shakespeare one is the weirdest, including flat earth. It just doesn’t explain anything at all, isn’t needed, doesnt justify any other idea, it’s bizarre.

[@Consume_Crash]

Good interview.

[@kimfleury]

Well how about that. I'd seen a documentary some years ago that argued the potentiality that Shakespeare was Catholic, or if he wasn't Catholic himself, then at least his father was. That discovery of the last spiritual testament of John Shakespeare during house renovations was a main feature of the argument. At the time, I misunderstood, thinking that the renovations were recent. I don't recall much else of the documentary, as I was likely multitasking while it was on, but on the whole, what I did catch of it made a lasting impression that set me to be open to the possibility that William Shakespeare was indeed Catholic. And ever since then, when an aggressive Protestant missionary zealot beleaguers me, the first thought that pops into my head is, "Methinks thou dost protest too much."
This interview has filled in the missing pieces for me, and has inspired me to take up my very old copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare again to reread the plays in a new light. May the Bard and his family rest in peace. May God bless you and your mission, the both of you.

[@lervish1966]

He was in the same Order as Francis Bacon.

[@dawn7492]

“Shakespeare” was Francis Bacon. The Bard of Avon hoopla is balderdash!

[@lindakimmelman6550]

😂

[@HeroOfTime303]

I just don't believe you. Francis Bacon was an individual with very different worldview ideas and beliefs vs the Catholic faith. In fact, you could even say his view points were antithetical to the Catholic faith as he was a Free Mason.

[@lervish1966]

Shakespeare was in the same Order as Francis Bacon.