What religion was William Shakespeare?

Answer 1

William Shakespeare was, as the law required all English people to be, a member of the Church of England. He was baptised April 26, 1564.

What his real opinions were he kept to himself. In his plays he satirizes Puritans (Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Angelo in Measure for Measure), sneers at the Pope (King John) and does not hesitate to ascribe venial motives to the clergy (Henry V)

Answer 2

The question of Shakespear's religionhas been in debagte for centuries. Some of his plays involved religion, but according to his actors he never went to church or said anything about religion.

There is no direct proof of his religion.

Answer 3

In England during William Shakespeare's time, everyone had to belong to the Church of England. That was the law. Everyone had to attend church regularly on Sunday or they would be charged with an offence and have to pay a fine. Shakespeare's father was fined for not going to church, which was either because he was inclined toward Catholicism or because he was avoiding creditors. Shakespeare's daughter was also fined for not going to church, which was likely because she was inclined towards Puritanism. But William Shakespeare was never fined for failing to attend church, which suggests that he was a regular attender. And this might not be because of his spiritual beliefs (nobody knows anything about those), but rather because he didn't want to pay fines. For whatever reason Shakespeare was a staunch member of the Church of England, in which church he was baptised, married and buried. The evidence of this is incontrovertible.