Instructor: Peter Leithart
“He is a great observer, and he looks / Quite through the deeds of men.” So said Caesar of Cassius, the dangerous conspirator with the “lean and hungry look.”
The same can be said of the author of those lines, William Shakespeare. Few psychologists in history have peered so deeply into the complexities of human motivations and action.
Shakespeare was, among many other things, a political psychologist, with a tragedian’s interest in the deeds and fate of the powerful and well-born.
Many of his plays are about political history – the Hundred Years’ War, the transition from Republic to Empire in ancient Rome, the Trojan War.
Even when not focusing on political history, his plays unfold against a backdrop of political intrigue.
In Theopolis’s 2025 Easter Term intensive course, Peter J. Leithart will explore the political theology of three Shakespearean political plays – a comedy, a history, and a trajedy.
Measure for Measure portrays corruption, power, and justice in the city of Vienna. Richard II dramatizes the transition from sacred kingship to modern political order. In Antony and Cleopatra, he turns his attention to the melting decadence of empire.
Easter Term will be liturgically structured, and will include a viewing of the Hollow Crown production of Richard II and an evening feast.
Join us in March for several days of study, worship, conversation, and conviviality.
This course will be held at Third Presbyterian Church, located at 617 22nd St S, Birmingham, AL 35233.
Register below.
Theopolis Institute admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies or scholarship programs.
*This requirement was added in July 2016. For those who entered the Certificate Program earlier than that date, the oral examination is voluntary.