Use of Conspiracy Theories in The Illuminatus! Trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea

Abstract

Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea both have been influenced by anarchism, Discordianism and conspiracy theories. They both use conspiracy theories about Illuminati, knights Templars, Freemasons and New World Order, anti-semitism, end time prophecies of the Bible and world domination plans etc. Their main genre of writing is conspiracy fiction. Conspiracy fiction is a sub-genre of thriller fiction. Both the authors have filled their works with various types of conspiracy theories and thrilling feel. The focus of the present research paper is on the use of conspiracy theories in The Illuminatus! Trilogy. Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea made this trilogy one of the best works in the field of conspiracy fiction. Although the writers have used several of them, in the present paper only use of the New World Order conspiracy theories and secret societies, especially the Illuminati conspiracy theories will be analyzed. The study of conspiracy theories is an emerging field and little work has been done on this topic. So, the present paper will enrich the information about conspiracy theories and conspiracy fiction.