Category Archives: Philosophical, Psychological & Historical Considerations

Bertrand Russell complained about one of his grandmother’s preferred puns, “What is mind? Doesn’s matter. What is matter? Never mind.” And yet we, as a species, continuously attempt to fathom the mystery of the mind, with the help of philosophy, psychology and history. Shakespeare has given us much food for thought on all three, as well as music for those who love the music of words.

American Football and Absurdity

Posted on September 5, 2013 by jimmie

“This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune,–often the surfeit of our own behavior,–we make guilty of our disasters the sun, the moon, and the stars: as if we were villains by necessity; fools by heavenly compulsion; knaves, thieves, and treachers, by spherical predominance; … an admirable evasion Read More

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Shakespeare, Money and Politics

Posted on August 30, 2013 by jimmie

“… And though authority be a stubborn bear, yet he is oft led by the nose with gold.” Winter’s Tale act 4, sc. 3   Following is the transcription of a message left on the telephone recorder of a lobbyist by a prominent US Congresswoman. For our international visitors, the matter is perfectly legal. A Read More

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Shakespeare and Bradley Manning’s Trial. What The Defense Should Have Said

Posted on August 26, 2013 by jimmie

“If that be right which Warwick says is right, There is no wrong, but everything is right.” (King Henry VI part 3, act 2, sc. 2) The trial of BC Manning has ended and the Defense Counsel did what he thought his best. I have now received an anonymous hand-written document proposing another line of Read More

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Shakespeare and the Wages of Imperialism

Posted on August 22, 2013 by jimmie

“… this even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poison’d chalice To our own lips” Macbeth, act 1, sc. 7 Who could still have doubts about the infamy of imperialism may examine the recent history of the Middle East. Some may still remember the war of 1991,

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Shakespeare – Wars, Sex, Bikinis and Democracy

Posted on August 17, 2013 by jimmie

… wars and lechery; nothing else holds fashion: a burning devil take them! (Troilus and Cressida, act 5, sc. 2) Forest Grove is a suburb of the (unfortunately) sprawling greater Portland (Oregon). And while America has established (imposed) 140 military bases in Italy, Americans have developed a taste for Italian espresso in their home land. Read More

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Shakespeare and the Real Planetary Terror

Posted on August 11, 2013 by jimmie

“And strength by limping sway disabled, And art made tongue-tied by authority, And folly, doctor-like, controlling skill, And simple truth miscalled simplicity, And captive good attending captain ill…” (Sonnet 66) Sonnet 66 reflects the state of mind (and soul) of many – even of those who, within themselves, have not given up the fight for Read More

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Shakespeare and the Sanitization of History at Purdue University

Posted on August 5, 2013 by jimmie

“… woe upon ye, And all such false professors!” (King Henry VIII, act 3, sc. 1) In the distant 1940 Bertrand Russell wrote, “Academic freedom in this country is threatened from two sources: the plutocracy and the churches, which endeavor between them to establish an economic and a theological censorship’” 73 years later the strength Read More

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Shakespeare and Farewell to Shame

Posted on July 31, 2013 by jimmie

“I think our country sinks beneath the yoke; It weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash Is added to her wounds” Macbeth, act 4, sc. 3 For the unfamiliar Eric Holder is the US attorney general – he too partakes of the “niggerization of the plantation” to use Cornel West’s colorful expression. Meaning Read More

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The “Niggerization” of the Plantation

Posted on July 25, 2013 by jimmie

 “… like one Who having unto truth, by telling of it, Made such a sinner of his memory, To credit his own lie.” (Tempest, act 2, sc. 2) Hypocrisy is a flattering tribute to power. Occasionally political power must pretend to take into account the other power from which (theoretically) draws its source. Hypocrisy is Read More

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Shakespeare, Mandela, Myth and Celebrations

Posted on July 19, 2013 by jimmie

“To solemnize this day, the glorious sun Stays his course, and plays the alchymist; Turning, with splendour of his precious eye, The meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold.”  (King John, act 3, sc. 1) Comment.  When a man becomes a myth to say anything un-mythical partakes of the sacrilegious – even if the dissonance from Read More

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