Shakespeare and the Fire of Love

Academics and lay people curious to learn more about the philosophies at the root of William Shakespeare's work will discover a new theory on his intent in this critical analysis. Taking the position that the Christian-Platonic philosophy of love is the permeating philosophy in Shakespeare's work, this analysis links the commentaries of scholar-priest Marsilio Ficino and other key Renaissance writings to specific speeches and sonnets penned by Shakespeare to support its argument. The analysis further claims that it was this pervading Christian-Platonic philosophy, originally expounded by Pythagoras, Plato, and Plotinus, that enabled Shakespeare to write with clarity about the universal themes of harmony and disharmony between nations and princes, and the internal conflicts of the human mind and soul. In addition, classical references and images identify the true Promethean fire—romantic attraction.