Lincoln Found Solace in Shakespeare During Civil War

The 16th president often turned to the Bard's dark poetry to express his grief and depression during the conflict.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Abraham Lincoln was haunted by death both in his own life and during the Civil War, often sinking into deep melancholy. To cope, he would read and recite dark passages of poetry, including famous soliloquies from Shakespeare's plays. On one occasion in May 1864, after receiving news of heavy casualties, Lincoln turned to Macbeth's soliloquy about the futility of life, which later inspired the restorative spirituality of his Second Inaugural Address.

Why it matters

Lincoln's reliance on Shakespeare's tragic poetry provides insight into how the 16th president grappled with the immense grief and depression of the Civil War. His ability to find solace in the Bard's words demonstrates the power of literature to provide a cathartic outlet during times of profound sorrow and loss.

The details

In May 1864, after learning of 20,000 Union casualties at the Battle of the Wilderness, a grief-stricken Lincoln turned to a volume of Shakespeare and read aloud Macbeth's famous soliloquy about the meaninglessness of life. This dark passage about life being "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing" later inspired the restorative, purposeful spirituality of Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, delivered just 10 months before his assassination.

  • In May 1864, Lincoln received news of heavy casualties at the Battle of the Wilderness.
  • In February 1865, Lincoln delivered his Second Inaugural Address, just weeks before his death.

The players

Abraham Lincoln

The 16th president of the United States, who was deeply affected by the death and destruction of the Civil War.

William Shakespeare

The renowned English playwright whose dark, tragic poetry provided Lincoln with a cathartic outlet during times of grief and depression.

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What they’re saying

“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day, To the last syllable of recorded time; And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a tale, Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”

— William Shakespeare (Macbeth*, Act V, Scene V (1606)

What’s next

Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address, delivered just weeks before his assassination, is considered one of the greatest speeches in American history. The address, which drew inspiration from the dark themes in Shakespeare's poetry, called for "malice toward none" and "charity for all" as the nation sought to heal from the ravages of the Civil War.

The takeaway

Lincoln's reliance on Shakespeare's tragic poetry during the Civil War underscores the power of literature to provide solace and perspective during times of profound grief and loss. The president's ability to find meaning and purpose in the Bard's words ultimately shaped one of the most important speeches in American history, demonstrating the enduring influence of the written word.