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Shakespeare The famous saying states absolute power corrupts absolutely. William Shakespeare seems ho have known this fact very well. At the same time, he knew that noble characters do not get corrupted by political power, because of their idealism. Therefore, we can say that Shakespeare is promoting the idea of biological factors being the most important, in defying individuals behavior. Rich and powerful characters in his plays are shown as individuals who were enjoying their high social status because it was natural for them. The kings, princes and military leaders in Shakespeare's plays are almost always shown as noble characters, which are able to operate with abstract categories.
The essence of psychological conflict, according to Shakespeare, lies in the fact that our emotions often contradict our sense of logic. It is the excessive emotionalism, on the part of kings and princes that leads them towards making wrong decisions, which in its turn, often results in bringing about their ultimate downfall. There is no doubt that Shakespeare considered emotionalism as form of psychological weakness. At the same time, he understood that the true motivations of peoples actions cannot be altered through rationalization. In this paper we will try to prove that Shakespeare's view of social interactions, as based on hierarchical principle, is absolutely justified.
Also, we will show that Shakespeare was subconsciously promoting the idea of peoples behavior as being genetically predetermined. The play Othello illustrates this point better than anything else. Modern critics often suggest that Shakespeare's foremost goal in it was promoting tolerance towards the people of different cultural backgrounds. This point of view cannot be considered as valid, of course, because the notion of political correctness did not exist in 17 th century. Othello is shown as outstanding individual, who serves Venetia as mercenary. He is both honest and courageous.
He holds a political power, which he tries not to abuse. However, he carries a seed of what will eventually bring him down. Othello is overly emotional; he gets consumed by jealousy very easily, without even attempting to think about Desdemonas infidelity in rational manner. This can be directly related to Othello's racial affiliation. People of European descend are known to be the least emotional of all. As a matter of fact, many of them think that it is inappropriate to intensely express anger or joy.
They know how to master their emotions, in order to never become subjected to them. People that belong to Black race are quite different, in this respect. Most of their actions are emotionally motivated. This is why it was only the matter of time before Othello's marriage to Desdemona would fall apart. Othello describes himself as being very different from other people, not because of the color of his skin, but because of how he thinks: Were I the Moor I would not be Iago. In following him I follow but myself In play Henry IV Shakespeare focuses his attention on young prince Harry, who in the future will become known as one of England's greatest kings.
However, author shows Harry as being the least suited for the role of king, because he spends most of his time in drinking and debauchery. It is quite natural for us to assume that Harry will not rise to the position of political prominence, because of this. Still, Shakespeare shows us that it is wrong to suggest that persons social surroundings define his essence as human being. Harry totally changes his ways, when he realized that England faces a political crisis: My reformation, glittering oer my fault, Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes Than that which hath no foil to set it off. Ill so offend to make offence a skill, Redeeming time when men think least I will He rushes back to his father and leads army in the battle against Hotspur. In this battle he acts in the most honorable manner, while being both courageous and merciful, at the same time.
Thus, Shakespeare shows us that it is wrong to consider individuals upbringing as something that defines his psyche. Apparently, Harry was being simply programmed genetically to act as noble individual. The fact that he was an heir to England's throne did not affect his behavior. Therefore, we can say that Shakespeare does not consider peoples social status in terms of something that defines their behavioral patterns. It is a fact that Harry was a representative of nobility that made him to act the way he did.
Throughout the play, author often expresses his negative attitude towards Harry, especially when he describes him drinking; however, it is Harry's association with Falstaff that Shakespeare considers to be the worst thing of all, because Falstaff is deprived of idealism. The lack of idealism is the main corruptive factor, according to Shakespeare. Author develops this theme further in his tragedy Antony and Cleopatra. Antony is shown as person, whose ability of clear and logical thinking allowed him to become member of triumvirate. However, he has fallen in love with the queen of Egypt Cleopatra, which prevents him from being engaged in state affairs full time. This love carried the properties of tragedy from very beginning.
It was obvious that Cleopatra loves Anthony and also uses him for achieving her personal political goals. Shakespeare describes Antony and someone who was overly courteous, especially when it would come to dealing with women: Upon her landing Antony sent to her, Invited her to supper. She replied It should be better he became her guest, Which she entreated. Our courteous Antony, Whom neer the word of No woman heard speak Author clearly thinks of this Antony's weakness as very dangerous, because gradually he becomes a pawn in hands of Cleopatra.
His love passion towards her prevents him from assessing the objective reality in logical manner. Antony rejects the advice of his friend Enobarbus that it was very unwise to accept Caesars challenge to a sea battle, because he wanted to please Cleopatra, who thought that she could also be a military leader. It is very symbolic that Antony, Caesar and Pompey are shown as acting in very honest and straight-forward manner, while Cleopatra is associated by Shakespeare with the embodiment of treachery. This is because Cleopatra represents a civilization that did not have idealism as the most important element of spiritual foundation, upon which it was being built.
Antony is being corrupted by Cleopatra. He thinks of her as beautiful, while she is attractive at best. Shakespeare shows Antony's ability to make logical decisions being clouded by his passion to Cleopatra. Thus, tragedy's metaphysical message promotes the idea that racial purity and idealism derive from each other and that ignoring this simple fact leads to very negative consequences. Apparently, it is inconsistency between Antony's essence as individual and his passion towards Cleopatra that results in his death. As we have shown, the dramatic situations in Shakespeare's plays originate in inconsistency between rational thinking and passion.
His play The Tempest is authors declaration of his loyalty to the rational core of Western civilization. The element of magic plays very important role throughout the play, yet, at the end, plays main protagonist Prospero voluntarily surrenders his magic powers, because affecting other peoples lives causes a great amount of psychological discomfort, on his part. Prospero is presented to us as men of great wisdom, who cleverly uses the mental inferiority of Alonso, Ferdinand, Sebastian, Antonio and Gonzalo for the sake of his own amusement. However, as a play continues on, Prospero begins to feel that it is immoral to take advantage of people, who were still shaken, after having survived naval catastrophe. It is very remarkable that Prospero's psychological discomfort is not based on the notions of Christian religion.
He is shown as someone whose understanding of what is right and what is wrong derives out of depths of his soul. Europeans perceive magic as something absolutely irrational, which is closely related to the realm of emotions. This is why Prospero tells us, at the end, that the elements of magic and passion can never result in establishing steady cultural or political construction: Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits, and Are melted into air, into thin air One of the reasons why Shakespeare plays never loose their popularity is because they are humanistic, in their essence. Author shows that people often fall victims to their own irrational strives, yet, the redeeming possibility always exists, for as long as person is able to recall its true nature. There is no clear difference between the characters of villains and heroes in Shakespeare's plays, because he was well aware of the relative nature of morality.
It is only the noble traits of ones character that can be thought of in terms of absolute virtue. According to Shakespeare, this virtue is not the subject of socio-political circumstances. Noble people are born and not made. The political power can only be considered as corruptive factor, when persons biological inadequacy allows him to abuse such power. This is why there are many countries in the world that are essentially tyrannies, even though that they have a democratic form of government. Because of this, Britain is democracy, even though that formally it is a monarchy.
It is clear, from Shakespeare's plays, that he considered social stratification as something that merely reflects peoples biological inequality. Political power does affect peoples relations but not to the degree that it is commonly assumed. A slave will always remain slave at heart, no matter how high he might rise through the ranks. This is the main political idea, which is being popularized by Shakespeare
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