Working Paper - 23 APRIL 2014: SHAKESPEARE'S 450th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY
Shakespeare plays are gold mines of advice for politicians: “Listen before speaking; Stick to the facts; Keep calm and carry on” (Hamlet). “Keep it simple” (Richard III). “Don't be a know-it-all” (As you like it). “Get to the point” (Measure for Measure).
Shakespeare was an observer of permanent political issues and dealt consistently and profoundly with politics where political issues are the very substance of a fair amount of his plays and crucial matters of state are remarkably dealt with. Hamlet is a political actor responding to a political act; inheritance in “King Lear” is political, being the kingdom itself at stake; even “Romeo and Juliet” has political implications given the power vacuum left by impotent political entities. In “The Tempest” and “As You like It” the issue is the theft and abuse of political power."