# Shakespeare — Orthodoxy character guide

> Shakespeare in Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** William Shakespeare

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-the-suicide-of-thought

## Who they are

Poet and playwright, cited as an example of artistic and moral insight.

## Relationships

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/narrator)

_psychological_

The narrator engages deeply with Shakespeare's works, using him as a touchstone for exploring themes of sanity and imagination.

## In the story

### [The Maniac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orthodoxy_se/chapters/ii-the-maniac)

Mentioned as an example of a great poet who was sane and businesslike, contradicting the notion that imagination breeds insanity.

### [VII: The Eternal Revolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orthodoxy_se/chapters/vii-the-eternal-revolution)

Shakespeare is implied in the discussion of romantic writing and the binding nature of marriage vows, though not directly named in the excerpts.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters/shakespeare
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orthodoxy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orthodoxy_se/characters