Comments on: Shakespeare on John McCain

By: HappyFew

HappyFew — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:42:03 +0000

For another Shakespearean analogue, see “George W as Henry V”:

http://www.poppolitics.com/archives/2003/05/George-W-as-Henry-V

By: anonyms

anonyms — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:09:05 +0000

I lost all respect for McLame when W curbed him like a dog. Everybody in McSame’s party goose-steps lockstep if they want that precious party money – and they control all the money on that side of the aisle, dont kid yourself.

By: Sweetelle

Sweetelle — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:40:21 +0000

Junior,

Please unboggle MY noggin! What do you find in McCain that is preferable to Barack? I just DON’T SEE IT! Help me!

Vern,

I was thinking of breaking out some Laura Elizabeth Richards to counter your Bard …

By: junior

junior — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:59:35 +0000

Thanks Vern, my brain is beginning to heal. However, it sounds as if the passage is more apt to fit Obama.

By: Vern Nelson

Vern Nelson — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:27:18 +0000

Allright Junior. This little passage of King Lear always stuck in my head for some reason. I never met anyone that it really fit (until I started paying attention to McCain.) Even the guy who says those lines in the play (Cornwall) is a horrible villain, and the words he says really don’t fit the character (Kent) at all.

Basically it’s a description of a person who is very clever and crafty, but has an undeserved reputation for honesty because he likes to be outspoken and rude. That’s kind of what I see with McCain. The press gives him a pass for being a “straight-talking maverick.” And he does enjoy saying things in undiplomatic ways. But that’s not the same as being honest. Being honest requires not only bluntness but a questioning of oneself, as to how true what you’re about to say really is. And how true can the candidate’s statements really be when he’s always contradicting himself and flipflopping?

I can give lots of examples, but I’d like to wait and see if others jump in…. working on a much bigger rohrabacher/mccain post…

By: junior

junior — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:41:49 +0000

Hey Vern – I’ve tried to figure this passage of the Bard’s out.

Didn’t work – I blew up my brain.

Could you translate this into “plain” English for me?

junior