Bardolatry
/BAHR-doh-luh-tree/
Meaning
Bardolatry describes the fervent, often uncritical, veneration of William Shakespeare, elevating his literary genius to an almost sacred status within English culture. It transcends mere appreciation, manifesting as an unquestioning belief in the absolute perfection and timeless relevance of his works, akin to a religious devotion. This phenomenon reflects a deep-seated national pride and a historical tendency to canonize literary figures, making any perceived flaw or critical interpretation a potential heresy to the staunch 'Bardolator'. It encapsulates a unique blend of profound respect and an almost spiritual awe for the playwright's enduring legacy.
Literal Translation
Worship of the bard (Shakespeare)
The Story Behind the Word
The term 'Bardolatry' itself was coined by George Bernard Shaw, a notorious critic of Shakespeare, highlighting the phenomenon's contentious nature. Its existence underscores a peculiar cultural dynamic in England, where Shakespeare isn't just a playwright but a foundational pillar of national identity, art, and language. This worship reflects a collective desire for a cultural anchor, a figure whose genius is so undeniable that it can unify diverse perspectives under a banner of shared heritage. It reveals a culture that, while often self-deprecating, holds certain artistic achievements with an almost religious reverence, viewing them as benchmarks of human accomplishment and national glory. The word exists because the intensity of this adulation often borders on the irrational, prompting both admiration and critique of such unyielding devotion.
Experience It
Academic Debate
During a literature seminar, a student cautiously suggested that a particular Shakespearean play might have structural weaknesses. The professor, a known Bardolator, immediately launched into a passionate defense, citing centuries of critical acclaim and dismissing the student's point as a failure to grasp the play's profound subtleties, rather than a valid critique.
Tourist's Pilgrimage
An American tourist, visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, felt an almost spiritual connection walking through Shakespeare's birthplace. She bought every souvenir imaginable, declaring that merely breathing the same air as the Bard filled her with an indescribable sense of literary awe, embodying a personal act of Bardolatry.
The Deeper Meaning
Bardolatry reveals a fascinating aspect of cultural identity and the human need for heroes, even literary ones. It highlights how collective admiration can transform an individual into an institution, a symbol of national achievement and intellectual zenith. This phenomenon touches upon the philosophy of aesthetics, questioning whether true appreciation requires critical distance or if profound emotional connection can elevate art beyond objective analysis. It also speaks to the power of narrative and myth-making in shaping a nation's self-perception.
Did You Know?
George Bernard Shaw, a noted playwright himself, coined 'Bardolatry' as a pejorative term in 1901 to criticize what he saw as the uncritical and excessive worship of Shakespeare.
How It's Used
Used to describe an extreme or uncritical admiration of William Shakespeare and his works, often implying a level of devotion that borders on worship.