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, Melancholy of Autumn and a Beautiful Sonnet

Posted on November 2, 2012 by jimmie

“That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, Bare ruin’d choirs where late the sweet birds sang. In me thou seest the twilight of such day As after sunset fadeth in the west, Which by and by Read More

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Shakespeare, Presidential Elections and the Force of Habit

Posted on November 1, 2012 by jimmie

“How use doth breed a habit in a man!” (Two Gentlemen from Verona, act 5, sc. 4) Comments. In this entry’s instance the “use” refers to voting in the presidential elections to sustain two beliefs (through habit), that have proven false and documentably so. One is that voting is the essence of democracy. It would Read More

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Shakespeare on McGovern’s Memorial, War, Peace, and Speakers’ Lies

Posted on October 26, 2012 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 1, sc. 2) Comments.  George McGovern, presidential candidate in 1972 who valiantly opposed the Vietnam War, (and when doing so was considered “anti-American”),  died this month. Those who followed McGovern’s Read More

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Shakespeare on Age and Aging Romeos

Posted on October 25, 2012 by jimmie

“… One that is well-nigh worn to pieces with age to show himself a young gallant.” (Merry Wives of Windsor, act 2, sc. 1) Comments.  The character of the aging Romeo has been the subject and the butt of a large number of novels, plays and comedies, in the major European languages and (probably) in Read More

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Shakespeare on England, Model to her Greatness

Posted on October 23, 2012 by jimmie

“O England! model to thy inward greatness, Like little body with a mighty heart” (Henry V, chorus, second act) Comments.  As we know, Shakespeare was what today we would call a strong nationalist. Foreign characters perform poorly, be they French, Italians, Spanish, Roman or Latin. That the chorus make such a gratifying statement about England Read More

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Shakespeare on Arrogance

Posted on October 22, 2012 by jimmie

“…your heart Is cramm’d with arrogancy, spleen and pride.” (King Henry VIII, act 2, ac. 4) Comments.  Since 2000, America has been involved in “military operations” in the following countries: Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Yemen, East Timor, Afghanistan, Philippines, Ivory Coast, Iraq, Liberia, Georgia, Djibouti, Haiti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Pakistan, Lebanon, Somalia, Libya, Uganda, and now Read More

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Shakespeare on Cold Symptoms & Natural Remedies

Posted on October 20, 2012 by jimmie

 “Let me pour in some sack to the Thames water; for my belly’s as cold as if I had swallowed snowballs for pills to cool the reins.” (Merry Wives of Windsor, act 3, sc. 5) Comments.  The cold season is on us – at least those of us in the Northern hemisphere. And the corporate Read More

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Seven Ages of Man, take 7, Last Scene of All

Posted on October 19, 2012 by jimmie

Last scene of all, That ends this strange, eventful history, Is second childishness, and mere oblivion, Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything. (As You Like It, act 2, sc. 7) Comments.   Whether by chance or by the workings of the Internet spiders, the six blogs related to the contention that all the world Read More

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Shakespeare, Pretense and the Second Presidential Debate

Posted on October 17, 2012 by jimmie

“So, my good window of lattice, fare thee well; thy casement I need not open, for I look through thee.” (All’s Well That Ends Well act 2, sc. 3) Comments.  Talk about pretense! We can see through the window of words, indeed we do not need to open the casement (of the two presidential candidates). Read More

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Shakespeare, Unpleasant Company & the Presidential Debate

Posted on October 16, 2012 by jimmie

TIMON … mend my company, take away thyself. APEMANTUS. So I shall mend mine own, by the lack of thine. (Timon Of Athens, act 4, sc. 3) Comments.  Timon’s and Apemanutus’ exchange about each other’s company mirrors the feeling that many will have towards the ‘company’ presented by the protagonists of the imminent presidential debate. Read More

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