Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide To Six Shakespeare Plays (Paperback)

by Peter J. Leithart (Author) "Bertrand Evans has pointed out that history plays account for "nearly half the total of Shakespeare's plays..." (more)
Key Phrases: suggested paper topics, mad attire, revenge ethic, Don Pedro, Review Questions, Thought Questions (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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.

Literature abstracts from the complex events of life (just as we all do in everyday life) and can reveal patterns that are like the patterns of events in the real world. Studying literature can give us sensitivity to those patterns. This sensitivity to the rhythm of life is closely connected with what the Bible calls wisdom.

About the Author
Peter J. Leithart holds degrees in English, history, religion, and theology, including a doctorate in theology from Cambridge University. He is a Senior Fellow at New Saint Andrews College in Moscow, Idaho. He is the author of numerous books on theology and literature, including A House for My Name, Against Christianity, Blessed Are the Hungry, Ascent to Love, Heroes of the City of Man, Miniatures and Morals, and more. He has also authored articles in journals such as Pro Ecclesia, Journal of Biblical Literature, and Westminster Theological Journal.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: Canon Press; 1 edition (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885767234
• ISBN-13: 978-1885767233
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #170,793 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars eye-opening, June 14, 2000

By	Joanna E. Rees (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews

I appreciated this book for its Christian perspective on a few of my favorite Shakespeare plays. The author explored not only the plots, but also the characters' relationships to Christ. The author made insightful parallels and comparisons between the characters and Christ and His church. I also appreciated the critiques of some of the film versions of the plays. I heartily recommend this eye-opening book!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My kids love Shakespeare!, October 28, 2004

By	RSO "Shakespeare fan" - See all my reviews

And one of the reasons for that is this book, Brightest Heaven of Invention. It is a wonderful guide to read along with your next Shakespeare play. It explains the scenes from a unique perspective--a must-have book for Shakespeare fans! Mr. Leithart, we're waiting for the next book in this series.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable for teachers, March 13, 2008

By	Margaret H. St Jean (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My copy of this book is highlighted and dog-eared, with book marks popping out all over the place. Mr. Leithart's analysis is wonderfully unforced. He's not jamming Shakespeare's work into a Christian mold. He is uncovering what is there. I found this especially effective in his analysis of "The Taming of the Shrew". Since Leithart wrote these when he was teaching a class himself, they are classroom tested. The introduction supplies a suggested schedule to follow. Each play is introduced, then examined Act by Act with review and thought questions. Each chapter ends with suggested essay topics, and some review of movie versions that are available to see. This is great, and I make constant use of it.
Six more, Mr. Leithart, please!