Shakespeare Told Us About Putin

Summary

The article draws a parallel between Shakespeare's King Lear and Putin's current actions, suggesting that Putin's dictatorial tactics and threats of nuclear war echo Lear's unspecified terrors and ultimately lead to his downfall.

Abstract

The author of the article invokes Shakespeare's King Lear to illustrate the current geopolitical situation involving Vladimir Putin. The piece suggests that Putin, like Lear, is resorting to extreme measures, including the threat of nuclear war, as a form of blackmail to achieve his goals of reestablishing a Soviet-like empire. Despite these threats, the article posits that Putin's actions are self-defeating and will not lead to the realization of his ambitions. It reflects on the historical pattern of dictators who were not stopped in time and draws a parallel with recent events in America, where a similar threat was contained. The article implies that Putin's reign will end in failure and death, much like Lear's did, as his dreams of unity and adoration are met with rejection.

Opinions

Putin's behavior is likened to that of a blackmailer, using short, terrifying, and blunt messages to intimidate the world.
The threat of nuclear war is seen as a form of blackmail that holds the world hostage under Putin's spell.
The article suggests that a nuclear holocaust would not serve Putin's ambition and is an empty threat.
The author believes that dictators like Putin historically have not been stopped soon enough, leading to dire consequences.
The piece draws a comparison between Putin and a former American figure, implying both used blackmail tactics that ultimately backfired.
The author expresses a personal anecdote about blackmail within family life, possibly to draw a humorous parallel to international blackmail.
The article concludes with a thank you to Shakespeare, implying that his work continues to provide insight into contemporary political figures and events.

Grant me a certain detachment from Ukraine and the thousands who will die as you read this piece.

King Lear said:

I will do such things…

What they are yet I know not — but they shall be

The terrors of the earth

Okay, you’re heard this recently, I guarantee. Putin cannot win and resorts to blackmailing the world with the threat of a nuclear war. Putin, however, is not a king, he is a dictator, a remnant of the KGB.

Every good blackmailer keeps his message short, terrifying, and blunt.

Blackmail, in its infancy, was simply the demanding of money with menaces. I use it today, and not sparingly, suggesting to my wife if she makes lemon curd tarts, only then will I give her the sex of her life! Technically, blackmail.

It is frowned on with disapproval but is an essential part of family life. Especially a family with a number of children.

While we are all cowering from the idea of a nuclear war, weighing up the certainties, or lack of them, we are caught under Putin’s spell. The fact is, whether he’s capable of destroying his own dream of bringing back the USSR, causing a nuclear holocaust won’t progress his ambition.

History is decorated by the many instances when dictators weren’t stopped soon enough. America, in the last effort, had the wisdom to stop the growth of one here at home. He still looms over us as if believing we miss his leadership. His blackmail against the Ukraine president backfired, as blackmail has a tendency to do. Jenny made my lemon curd tarts and I failed to perform.

Putin is king.

Putin will fail.

Putin will die…

the way King Lear died, carrying his dream of his once daughters of the Republic adoring him. But rejection is hard, the daughters, having put them through the severest of evil tests, do not want to share the same dream.

Thank you, Shakespeare.