Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide to Six Shakespeare Plays

Name: Brightest Heaven of Invention: A Christian Guide to Six Shakespeare Plays
Brand: Canon Presshttps://canonpress.com/

by Canon Presshttps://canonpress.com/

ElaGrades 9–12

Brightest Heaven of Invention: Christian Shakespeare Study Guide

This is a Christian-perspective study guide for six Shakespeare plays (Henry V, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth, The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing) designed for high school students. The curriculum provides background context, discussion questions, and writing assignments while addressing Christian concerns about potentially objectionable content in Shakespeare's works.

Best for

Christian homeschool families and schools seeking a faith-integrated approach to Shakespeare study for high school students, particularly those wanting to address potential content concerns while maintaining academic rigor

Evaluation Criteria

5 strengths · 3 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum systematically builds domain knowledge across history, philosophy, and culture.

Each study 'gets into philosophy, history, culture, and other significant factors' and provides 'far more than the superficial treatment typical of most study guides'

Text ComplexityStrength

The curriculum uses appropriately complex texts for high school students.

Uses original Shakespeare plays, which represent grade-appropriate complex texts for high school students, with scaffolding through simplified versions and film viewing

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum provides structured guidance through background information and systematic questioning.

Students follow a clear sequence: read simplified version, read play sections, read Leithart's discussion, then answer review and thought questions

Writing InstructionStrength

The curriculum includes structured writing components with varied assignment options.

After each play study, there are 'suggestions of ten possible topics for lengthier writing assignments' and students can use thought questions for 'written work'

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsStrength

The curriculum emphasizes reading complete Shakespeare plays rather than excerpts or passages.

Students are directed to 'read a portion of the play' in structured sections, suggesting systematic engagement with whole texts rather than fragmented excerpts

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum can be used independently by students but lacks specific teacher training materials.

Review notes that 'high school students can work through this book independently' and would work well 'in a group class,' but no mention of teacher guides or professional development

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

The curriculum includes review questions but lacks evidence of spaced review or systematic retrieval practice.

Students answer 'ten review and ten thought questions' after each section, but no mention of revisiting material or cumulative review

Systematic PhonicsNeutral

Phonics instruction is not applicable for this high school Shakespeare curriculum.

This is designed for grades 9-12 students studying advanced literary texts

Vocabulary BuildingInsufficient Evidence

Vocabulary development is not explicitly mentioned as a curriculum component.

The review focuses on comprehension questions and writing assignments but does not reference vocabulary instruction or word study

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com