Theos-Talk Archives (December 2006 Message tt00979)

Friends,

Who was William Shakespeare,  and how much of Theosophy and Occultism can we find in his plays? 

There is a important text on this controversial theme in the website of the ULT in Canada.  It opens thus: 

"Our study is conceived merely as an essay in the interpretation of a subject at once Protean and profound. The more one delves into the genius of Shakespeare, the greater is the realization by every honest student of Theosophy that, as veil after veil is lifted, there will remain 'veil upon veil behind'."

"Who was Shakespeare? What manner of man was he? What was the power behind his plays? Questions all more easily asked than answered, but suggestions of answers are to be found in hints scattered through the recorded writings of the latest teachers of Theosophy."

"The vicissitudes of Shakespeare's reputation and the vagaries of critical opinion alike substantiate Madame Blavatsky's statement that Shakespeare, like Aeschylus, 'will ever remain the intellectual ‘Sphinx’ of the ages'."

"To students of Theosophy, however , the available references in the authentic literature, though few and far between, are sufficiently suggestive to indicate the Occult World's estimate of Shakespeare and his message. "My good friend - Shakespeare," wrote one of the Mahatmas, quoting from him in a letter. In her editorial opening the first volume of Lucifer, H.P.B. wrote that ' Shakespeare's deep and accurate science in mental philosophy'  has proved more beneficent to the true philosopher in the study of the human heart - therefore, in the promotion of truth - than the more accurate but certainly less deep, science of any Fellow of the Royal Institution."

"Again, we know from a letter addressed to Mr. A. P. Sinnett that H.P.B. wanted a student to write out "the esoteric meaning of some of Shakespeare's plays," for inclusion in The Secret Doctrine. Lastly, of course, we have Mr. Judge's famous statement; - 'The Adepts assert that Shakespeare was, unconsciously to himself, inspired by one of their own number'. "

See all of the text clicking at 

http://www.theosophycanada.ca/Special.asp?nPageID=325059

Regards,   Carlos. 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]