biblical presence in Shakespeare, Milton, and Blake, The
Book Description
Harold Fisch presents a fascinating exploration of how three towering literary figures wrestled with biblical influence in their creative work. This scholarly yet accessible study reveals how Shakespeare, Milton, and Blake each developed distinct approaches to incorporating sacred texts into their poetry and drama, creating what Fisch identifies as a fundamental tension in Western literature.
Through careful analysis of Shakespeare's major works including Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, Hamlet, and King Lear, Fisch uncovers a hidden struggle he calls the "metagon" - not merely conflict between characters, but a deeper battle between biblical and secular worldviews competing for control of each play's meaning. Milton's Paradise Lost and Samson Agonistes reveal a different dynamic, where apparent devotion to biblical sources masks unresolved contradictions that challenge both artistic and theological coherence.
Blake emerges as the most revolutionary figure, rejecting what he saw as his predecessors' compromise with classical Greek and Latin traditions. Claiming direct inspiration from "the Sublime of the Bible," Blake sought authentic spiritual expression, yet his own biblical interpretations, particularly in his Illustrations to Job, often transformed dialogue into monologue, creating unexpected reversals of meaning.
This study offers readers insight into how great artists navigate the tension between sacred inspiration and creative freedom, illuminating three fundamentally different paths for engaging with spiritual tradition in artistic expression.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~9 hours)
📄 Length: 331 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore History and criticism
- ✓ Explore In literature
- ✓ Explore English literature
- ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Understand spiritual ethics
- ✓ Explore Milton, john, 1608-1674
- ✓ Explore Bible
- ✓ Explore Blake, william, 1757-1827
