Reading William Shakespeare’s Cymbeline.
Struck by the fact that in Act 5, Scene 4 of this rarely performed play (though it is being fabulously done at the Ontario Stratford Festival this year), Shakespeare has Jupiter appear.
The hero of the play, Posthumus has fallen asleep and he is visited by the ghosts of his dead family and by the god Jupiter, who assures the ghosts that Posthumus will eventually be fine. Jupiter also leaves a written message for Posthumus predicting the future, but one that he cannot initially decipher.
How would this have struck Shakespeare’s initial audience I wonder, given the religious conflict that was such a dominant part of Shakespeare’s world? I suspect it might have been one reason why the Puritans generally frowned upon the theatre.
Interesting, is it not: that Evaneglicals’ love for Shakepseare (and I include myself in these ranks) would not have been understood by most of the Puritans whom they also honour?
Lol! Even more - Evangelical obsession with entertainment overall - Shakespeare, TV, Movies, Music, etc. etc. - CHS and JC Ryle could be added to the list...aligned doctrinally, not so much culturally...