HAYS OF SHAKESPEARE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11006, 15 September 1921, Page 6

HAYS OF SHAKESPEARE

AND THEIR OCCULTISM. Last night Mr Vivian H. R. Deacon de» tivered an interesting lecture n the committee room of the Town Hhli on "The Occultism of the Shakespeare Plays" to a large and attentive audience. He pointed out that a consideration of the occult fandnng found in the plays need not involve the question of their authorship. It did not matter whether Shakespeare or Bacon wrote them, the main thing was we had them, and whoever the author wan he must have been a profound student of occultism, es it simply permeated all Iris plays. In fact be "holds the mirror up to nature” in such a way that only the wilfully blind can fail to see a complete picture not only of this mundane plane, but of the spirit world. In four of his most popular tragedies the return of the dead was introduced. Clairvoyance. magic, pre-vision, dreams, adeptship, all were mentioned in the plays, and in such a way es showed the anthor’s conception to be in absolute accord with modem psychic investigation. Indeed, from the solemn tragedies of Hamlet and Macbeth to the rollicking comedy of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream” his stage was peopled with denizens of both worlds. Mr Deacon dealt: ’in derail with "MacteHi,” "Richard the Third." and "Julius’ Caesar.” showing how occultism was an essential pert of each. At the close of the lecture Mr Descon was accorded a vote of thanks, which was carried with acclamation.