Tag Archives: William Shakespeare

On Portia, Milosz, and Pardoning Trump

By Robin Bates | Published: June 3, 2024

Should Biden pardon Trump. This article, citing “Merchant of Venice” and a Milosz poem, argues no.

By Robin Bates | Published: May 21, 2024

Shakespeare understood race at a deep level, whiteness and blackness both. In “Titus Andronicus” a character declares that Black is beautiful.

By Robin Bates | Published: February 29, 2024

Poetry has always been present in times of war but with mixed success at improving conditions.

By Robin Bates | Published: February 25, 2024

In “Days,”Larkin urges us to make the most of each day.

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 12, 2024

One of the literary “inventions” featured in Fletcher’s “Wonderworks” is the second look, partly invented by Akutagawa in “Rashomon.”

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: December 28, 2023

Through O’Farrell’s “Hamnet,” I found myself mourning my own son.

By Robin Bates | Published: December 13, 2023

Kevin McCarthy is no tragic hero. He does resemble a minor figure from “Julius Caesar,” however.