The Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian guide to six Shakespeare plays

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Shakespeare was, as Caesar says of Cassius, "a great observer," able to see and depict patterns of events and character. He understood how politics is shaped by the clash of men with various colorings of self-interest and idealism, how violence breeds violence, how fragile human beings create masks and disguises for protection, how schemers do the same for advancement, how love can grow out of hate and hate out of love. Dare anyone say that these insights are irrelevant to living in the real world? For many in an older generation, the Bible and the Collected Shakespeare were the two indispensable books, and thus their sense of life and history was shaped by the best and best-told stories. And they were the wiser for it. This book by theologian Peter Leithart is written for high school students and includes analyses of six of Shakespeare's plays (Henry V, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Hamlet, The Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing), as well as numerous review and discussion questions for anyone who wishes to incorporate them into their high school curriculum.

Our Christian literature education book introduces high school students to the world of Shakespeare by offering thoughtful analysis, discussion questions, and review materials on six of his most meaningful plays. This Christian homeschooling book explores Henry V, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Hamlet, The Taming of the Shrew, and Much Ado About Nothing from a biblical perspective. This Christian homeschool book shows how elements that might trouble some readers, such as witches, ghosts, and murder, actually deepen the plays by illuminating eternal realities in line with Scripture. This homeschool high school guide incorporates theology, history, literary theory, social commentary, and practical application that enrich the reading experience with real-world wisdom.

Peter J. Leithart (PhD, Cambridge) is President of Theopolis Institute in Birmingham, Albama and served as Senior Fellow at New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho. He is the author of numerous books on theology and literature, including The Baptized Body, Against Christianity, Brightest Heaven of Invention, and Ascent to Love. He has also authored articles in journals such as Pro Ecclesia, Journal of Biblical Literature, Westminster Theological Journal, and First Things. Peter and his wife Noel have ten children and a fetching collection of grandchildren.