Deep Wisdom from Shakespeare’s Dramas

"Plaisier has found the richest Christian ore in Shakespeare and has dug it up for us all. Always wise and revealing, he sets the highest standard for work at the intersection of faith and literature. Steve Van der Weele's translation is marvelously readable."

--Neal Plantinga, President of Calvin Theological Seminary, Emeritus



"In this time of directors' theater and modern dress extravaganzas, it is refreshing to find a literary critic who returns to the roots of Shakespeare's work. Arjan Plaisier finds strong theological undercurrents in seven of Shakespeare's greatest plays. Directors, actors, and teachers will profit from this skillful translation by Steve Van der Weele. He has, however, done everyone who loves Shakespeare's works a great favor."

--Howard Slenk, Professor of Music, Calvin College, Emeritus





"It is a pleasure for me to recommend Dr. Arjan Plaisier's seven theological meditations on seven of Shakespeare's plays. The centuries that have elapsed since his life and career notwithstanding, the playwright's work remains a source of both pleasure and wisdom . . . Dr. Steve Van der Weele, himself well versed in Shakespeare studies, deserves our thanks for providing a fine translation, making Dr. Plaisier's analyses accessible to English-speaking readers. Busy pastors as well as a wide spectrum of general readers will welcome this book."

--Sierd Woudstra, Pastor, teacher, translator



"Arjan Plaisier's analyses of seven Shakespeare plays confirms my belief that high art comes as close as we mortals can get to 'intimations of immortality,' as close to the gates of heaven as human effort can attain. We owe it to Steve Van der Weele that by his translation of Plaisier's book he has done much to demonstrate that truth for innumerable readers of Shakespeare's work. I add, incidentally, that I cannot remember ever having read a better analysis of a Shakespeare play than Plaisier's King Lear."

--Martinus Bakker, Professor of Dutch, Calvin College, Emeritus