This essay was originally written in 1994-1996 as the second half of my Ph.D. thesis at Pacific Graduate Institute. In the present form, it is a two part slide presentation given to the Theosophical Society of Portland in 2008. It treats the play as an "ascent through the planets", based on the characterization of the planetary vices given in Tractate One, the Poimandres, of the Corpus Hermeticum,amplified by Ficino in his Three Books on Life as well as various alchemical treatises. Part One goes through the play in terms of Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Luna. Part Two goes through the play again in terms of Saturn, Sol and Mars. In 10 sections, about 40,1000 words.
2. "The Divine Feminine in Shakespeare's Pericles", http://divinefeminineinpericles.blogspot.com/.
Originally written 1999, then revised 2001 and again 2007. An analysis of the late play written partly by Shakespeare and partly by a collaborator.in terms of Gnostic mythology and Jungian psychology. Builds on work of Harold Bloom and Ted Hughes. In 11 sections, about 14,800 words.
3. "The Theology of King Lear", http://theologyofkinglear.blogspot.com/
Originally written 2003, revised 2004 and again slightly in 2012, this is an analysis of Shakespeare's play in terms of Gnostic myths in Irenaeus's Against All Heresies, Erasmus's Praise of Folly, the troubadour poet Peire Cardenal, alchemical texts, and Jungian psychology. In 14 sections, about 42,350 words.
4. "The Theology of Romeo and Juliet", http://theologyofromeoandjuliet.blogspot.com/
Originally written 2003, revised slightly in 2012. An analysis of the play in terms of medieval tests and imagery of the Assumption of the Virgin, of Celtic imagery of the Lunghnasadh, of the Gnostic "bridal chamber", of the medieval dawn song or alba, and of Jungian psychology. In 14 sections, about 41,000 words..5. "Using Romeo and Juliet in a Mental Health Setting", http://treatingmentalillnesswithshakespeare.blogspot.com/
This essay is based on a group therapy group I conducted during the year 2005 in which participants, all sufferers of severe mental illness in a locked facility, read and discussed scenes from the play in terms of a treatment modality known as Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy, a modality which they were already somewhat familiar with from a previous group with me. I thought it went well, and others might benefit from reading about it. The play provides typical examples of emotional issues common to everyone and practical ways of resolving them, in a way in which people experiencing strong emotion can readily access at times when they are not thinking rationally. 8 sections, about 12,100 words including the scenes read from the play.
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