Tag Archives: King Lear

Stop the Clocks: This Is the Hour of Lead

By Robin Bates | Published: November 7, 2024

Auden’s mourning poem “Stop All the Clocks” captures the mood of those who saw a fascist triumph in the American presidential election.

By Robin Bates | Published: October 29, 2024

In an essay reposted from 2017 that is still relevant, I compare Trump’s narcissism with King Lear’s.

By Robin Bates | Published: September 11, 2024

In Tuesday’s presidential debate, Harris played Goneril and Regan to Trump’s King Lear. With differences, of course.

By Robin Bates | Published: June 11, 2024

Poet David Wright finds retirement lessons in “King Lear.” And aging lessons as well.

By Robin Bates | Published: February 20, 2024

In betraying Ukraine, Sen. Lindsey Graham is showing a sycophancy to Trump that is similar to that of Oswald for Goneril.

By Robin Bates | Published: February 8, 2024

Trump, like Lear, sets up love tests for followers. South Carolina Sen. Scott recently “passed” in the same way that Goneril and Regan pass.

By Robin Bates | Published: August 7, 2023

Lear and Trump are two narcissists who resort to bombastic threats when backed into a corner.

By Robin Bates | Published: July 20, 2023

A recent New Yorker article critiques our reliance on stories but makes the mistake of not distinguishing between different kinds of stories.

By Robin Bates | Published: December 12, 2022

The world’s wealthiest man attempted comedy the other night but was booed off the stage. Shakespeare would understand.