Tag Archives: William Shakespeare

Pratchett’s Witches to the Rescue

By Robin Bates | Published: June 14, 2020

Terry Prachett’s comic fantasy sometimes describes our political reality as well as sophisticated political science.

By Robin Bates | Published: June 10, 2020

I agree with George Will that Trump is like the narcissistic King Lear and his GOP enablers like T.S. Eliot’s Hollow Men

By Robin Bates | Published: April 5, 2020

Andrew Cuomo’s recent speech to the National Guard has echoes of Henry V’s St. Crispin’s Day speech on the eve of Agincourt.

By Robin Bates | Published: April 3, 2020

In Emily St. John Mandel’s dystopia “Station Eleven,” people turn to Shakespeare in a world that has been devastated by pandemic.

By Robin Bates | Published: April 1, 2020

Why is Othello so gullible. It may be that he has an underlying security, which Iago understands and preys upon.

By Robin Bates | Published: March 30, 2020

To understand Iago’s motivations, think status anxiety–the fear of losing cultural and social dominance over “the Other.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged Fascism, Othello, racism, status anxiety | Comments closed

By Robin Bates | Published: March 3, 2020

The coronavirus is leading to a focus on hand washing, which brings Lady Macbeth to mind.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged coronavirus, Donald Trump, Macbeth | Comments closed

By Robin Bates | Published: February 15, 2020

An extended reflection upon the relationship between religion and literature.

By Robin Bates | Published: February 6, 2020

To avoid having their heads hoisted on pikes, once moderate Republicans voted to acquit Trump. The pike reference comes from Shakespeare.