THE SECRET OF SHAKESPEARE His Greatest Plays Seen in the Light of Sacred Art Martin Lings Shakespeare’s greatness as an artist lies above all in the total impact that each of his best plays makes upon us when acted. But being a synthesis, this impact is not easily put into words. This book begins and ends with the mystery of the total impact, to which the title is closely related; but the secret in question has also an aspect which belongs to Shakespeare’s greatness as a man— a greatness which, we maintain, is unmistakably visible through the semi-transparent veil of his plays. Martin Lings clarifies the essential greatness of Shakespeare by focusing our attention on the total impact his best plays make on us when acted. For this purpose he concentrates on the texts and their theatrical rendering, in such a way as to transmit to us, at the same time, a powerful impression of Shakespeare the man, such as perhaps no other book can give us.
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“This short book does more to reveal or suggest what in Shakespeare is the quintessence of his greatness than the most laborious exposition could ever do.” — Kathleen Raine *** “It is a book which seeks to interpret to a wider audience the profound wisdom that is contained within the symbolism of certain plays of Shakespeare.” — H. R. H. The Prince of Wales