Shakespeare was a pretty flash playwright and poet that graced the theatres of the 17th century with his particular skill. One of his most quoted lines is that from Hamlet; “To be, or not to be; that is the question.”
Perhaps a little less well known is another arty line from one of Shakespeares first plays, Richard III;
“O momentary grace of mortal men, which we more hunt for than the grace of God.”
Interestingly, I came across a forum where members debated what this might have meant. After some back and forth they concluded that man seeks the favour of man, more than of God. I agree with this, but would qualify it further. I think the grace man pursues from himself is fleeting (momentary) and vain, lacking any enduring power and with no eternal reach. To borrow a phrase from Phillip Yancey it is almost an “ungrace” (see Phillip’s book “What’s So Amazing About Grace?“).
Shakespeare, in the late 16th century, put his finger on something which, I think, continues with us today; the pursuit of praise and opportunity from friends and peers as some sort of worthwhile trophy, while the real prize sits in the wings of life’s stage.
4 comments
Grant says:
January 17, 2009 at 11:46 am (UTC 8 )
this is excellent stuff mate
Jamie says:
January 17, 2009 at 12:30 pm (UTC 8 )
Your encouragement is appreciated
Janice says:
November 8, 2009 at 5:15 pm (UTC 8 )
How weird is that – I’ve just come from the mission and sat down to read more of your musings. While in the hall I was looking at the open stage and thinking that life is a stage but real life is actually in the wings!
Monsignor says:
December 4, 2009 at 1:48 am (UTC 8 )
Great minds Janice
I often find myself in the wings, waiting to go on, practising the line, “Jesus, Jesus; wherefore art thou Jesus?”