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.

Shakespeare on the Power of Imagination (or lack thereof)

Posted on February 16, 2013 by jimmie

“The lunatic, the lover and the poet, Are of imagination all compact. And, as imagination bodies forth The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen Turns them into shapes, and gives to airy nothing A local habitation and a name.” Midsummer Night’s Dream ((act 5, sc. 1)  Comment.  Many would agree that it is not Read More

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Shakespeare on Improbable Fiction and Incredible Reality

Posted on February 15, 2013 by jimmie

“If this were played upon a stage now, I could condemn it as an improbable fiction.” (Twelfth Night, act 3, sc. 4) Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, the one to whom the Pope said in person, “Thank you for helping to keep the world safe” (!!! – see blog of Jan 20, 2013 or search for Read More

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Shakespeare on Love, Money and Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 11, 2013 by jimmie

“’t is deepest winter in Lord Timon’s purse; That is, one may reach deep enough, and yet Find little”. (Timon of Athens, act 3, sc. 4) Comment.  Admitting straitsness of means does not imply necessarily a loss in your romantic credit rating. The key is to admit to the condition but elegantly. This applies especially Read More

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Shakespeare and a Valiant Woman

Posted on February 9, 2013 by jimmie

“… It is held, That valour is the chiefest virtue And most dignifies the haver.” (Coriolanus, act 2, sc. 2) Comment.  Malalai Joya, 34, a courageous Afghan woman, first gained international attention in 2003 when she spoke out publicly against the domination of warlords. As you may conclude from what follows, she is indeed dignified Read More

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Shakespeare and Ed Koch

Posted on February 7, 2013 by jimmie

“…the tears live in an onion that should water this sorrow.” (Antony and Cleopatra, act 1, sc. 2)   Comment.  I am referring to the political persona, not to the human being. The death of Ed Koch, three times mayor of New York has brought in the usual flood of tributes from the establishment and Read More

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Shakespeare on Murder as a Game

Posted on February 5, 2013 by jimmie

“… And look upon, as if the tragedy Were play’d in jest by counterfeiting actors” (King Henry VI, part 3, act 2, sc. 3) Comment.  As they say and as the picture shows, the wheel has come full circle – killing virtual people with a video game has turned into killing real people with a Read More

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Shakespeare and Eliminating the High Cost of Education

Posted on February 4, 2013 by jimmie

“Study is like the heaven’s glorious sun That will not be deep-search’d with saucy looks… Small have continual plodders ever won Save base authority from others’ books” (Love Labour’s Lost, act 1, sc. 1) Comment. Biron’s ambivalence about the value of education may be kept in mind by those young men (and especially ladies), eager Read More

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Shakespeare, Italian Cities and the Mystery of Things

Posted on February 2, 2013 by jimmie

… And take upon’s the mystery of things (King Lear, act 5, sc. 3) It is good to be home in Portland, after a fast trip with three presentations in Genoa, Turin and Milan – presentations of my book, (title translated), “Our Daily Dante – 3500 ways to get away with it with Dante”. This Read More

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Shakespeare on the Pope Blessing the CIA Director

Posted on January 20, 2013 by jimmie

“’Tis too much proved – that with devotion’s visage And pious action we do sugar o’er The devil himself.”  (Hamlet, act 3, sc. 1) Comments. If the director of the CIA, Leon Panetta, can get a blessing from the Pope, it is high time to dial up Milton and from his Paradise Lost call up Read More

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Shakespeare on King who had a dream and Obama who has a drone

Posted on January 18, 2013 by jimmie

IAGO. Will you hear me Roderigo? RODERIGO. Faith, I have heard too much; for your words and performance are no kin together. (Othello, act 4, sc. 3) Martin Luther King is a cultural icon who, these days, must be used sparingly by the apparatkit. Obama did not mention him in the original inauguration speech. It Read More

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