Tag Archives: William Shakespeare

Cuomo Channels Shakespeare’s Henry V

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.

By Robin Bates | Published: February 2, 2020

Unlike Claudius in “Hamlet,” who at least thinks he is accountable to God, Trump doesn’t think he should be accountable to anyone.

By Robin Bates | Published: January 28, 2020

Cartoonist Tom Toles has a very smart Alice-through-the-Looking-Glass take on Trump and the GOP.