Saturday, October 16, 2004
MacBush
We've compared Bush to Shakespeare's Macbeth before—as always, Enlightenment values are important—and alert reader Tony reminds us to do this again (Shakespeare text here).
The similarities are striking, aren't they? Not simply that Bush is, as Macbeth was, a usurper. Shakespeare's keen psychological insights are as relevant today as they were 500 years ago.
The setting: Macbeth, at a state dinner, has just seen the ghost of a man he murdered. Lady Macbeth covers for him and gets the guests out the door. Then, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth talk politics:
Translation: Fasten your seatbelts. Florida 2000 and getting us into Iraq were just starters. The main course is yet to come.
The similarities are striking, aren't they? Not simply that Bush is, as Macbeth was, a usurper. Shakespeare's keen psychological insights are as relevant today as they were 500 years ago.
The setting: Macbeth, at a state dinner, has just seen the ghost of a man he murdered. Lady Macbeth covers for him and gets the guests out the door. Then, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth talk politics:
LADY MACBETH
I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse;
Question enrages Him. At once, good night:
Stand not upon the order of your going,
But go at once.
LENNOX
Good night; and better health
Attend his majesty!
LADY MACBETH
A kind good night to all!
Exeunt all but MACBETH and LADY MACBETH
MACBETH
It will have blood; they say, blood will have blood:
Stones have been known to move and trees to speak;
Augurs and understood relations have
By magot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth
The secret'st man of blood. What is the night?
LADY MACBETH
Almost at odds with morning, which is which.
MACBETH
How say'st thou, that Macduff denies his person
At our great bidding?
LADY MACBETH
Did you send to him, sir?
MACBETH
I hear it by the way; but I will send:
There's not a one of them but in his house
I keep a servant fee'd. I will to-morrow,
And betimes I will, to the weird sisters:
More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know,
By the worst means, the worst. For mine own good,
All causes shall give way: I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er:
Strange things I have in head, that will to hand;
Which must be acted ere they may be scann'd.
LADY MACBETH
You lack the season of all natures, sleep.
MACBETH
Come, we'll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse
Is the initiate fear that wants hard use:
We are yet but young in deed.
Translation: Fasten your seatbelts. Florida 2000 and getting us into Iraq were just starters. The main course is yet to come.
