Few writers have a deeper understanding of the foibles of human nature
and life’s absurdities and tragedies than William Shakespeare. This
makes him a fascinating companion for the season of Lent, a traditional
time for a spot of self-examination. This engaging, wise and often
amusing Lent book sets quotations from Shakespeare’s characters and
poems alongside biblical passages and reflects on the resonance between
them – one reflection for each day of the season. ↵
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It
starts with dust on Ash Wednesday (‘Golden lads and girls all must, As
chimney-sweepers, come to dust’, from Cymbeline) and ends with
resurrection as Easter Sunday approaches (‘It is required you do awake
your faith’, from The Winter’s Tale). In between, it considers many rich
spiritual themes: mercy, love, loyalty, trust, good vs evil, guilt,
forgiveness, ageing, grief, death, hope and more. ↵
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Each
day’s reflection opens with a quotation from Shakespeare and explores
its ideas in conversation with the Bible and Christian thought.
Peter Graystone is a writer who has worked for Scripture Union,
Christian Aid and the Church Army. He read English at Oxford, is a huge
fan of the theatre and has an MA in Shakespeare studies. He is presently
Co-ordinator of the Christian Enquiry Agency and contributes to the
Church Times.