If Hamlet were Macbeth, the irony and the contradiction at the heart of Shakespearean morality

Hooded warrior confronting shadowy enemies in a ruined theater

Hamlet leaves a trail of bodies in his wake not because he is a monster like Macbeth, but because he is less of one, displaying hesitancy at the thought of killing his uncle for whatever reason as most of us probably would in a similar circumstance. If Hamlet were Macbeth, the tragedy never would have… Continue reading If Hamlet were Macbeth, the irony and the contradiction at the heart of Shakespearean morality

Springsteen’s brilliant “Brilliant Disguise” and the inescapable nature of doubt

This is Shakespeare’s Othello in the modern age. Othello is so easily manipulated by Iago because he doubts himself and can’t possibly believe a fair noblewoman would choose him.  In Springsteen’s telling, we do not know the speaker’s scars, save that he’s a “lonely pilgrim,” but it doesn’t matter.  We don’t need a villain either. … Continue reading Springsteen’s brilliant “Brilliant Disguise” and the inescapable nature of doubt