The Concept of "Angel” and "Devil" in Shakespeare’s Plays

If we would appreciate the writings of Shakespeare, if we would read him with comprehension, if we would grasp the full import of his thoughts, it is well not to ignore the ideas of his age, since these are naturally reproduced in his writings. In one area of thought, angelology, the problem of determining Shakespeare1s concept by a study of his plays and of the commonly held opinions of the Elizabethans has not yet been worked out. It is important that it should be, for although the conclusions of the investigator concerning one .concept cannot be applied to the work as a whole, they furnish the foundation for a worth-while synthesis. Modern criticism cannot afford to ignore the heritage which contributed to the blossoming of literature in the age of Elizabeth. It must make an intelligent appraisal of all the elements that contributed to the greatest age of the drama in history; and assess the products of that age at their true value. To this evaluation, we hope the present paper may contribute its mite. |In the present case, references to Shakespeare were located by the use of Bartlett’s Concordance and Schmidt’s Lexicon, Hundreds of references to Shakespeare’s plays were located under words indicating names, nature, office, and rank of angels and devils; such as, angel, cherub, spirit, genius, legion, fiend, demon, tempter, devil, serpent, enemy, Beelzebub, Lucifer, Satan. Then a working bibliography was developed from Ebisch and Schucking and E. K. Chambers. A bibliography on angels and devils was built up from Dictionnaire de Théologie Catholique. A comparative study of Shakespeare’s uses of the words "angel” and "devil” and the concepts expressed by these terms as they are and have been used in literature, philosophy, and religion was made. This has proved and interesting and enlightening study.

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

1950

Author dc:creator

• Kachelmeier, M. Limana O.S.F.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Smith, Paul F. S.J.

• Shakespeare

Statement dc:rights

• A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10504/92628

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/92628