Let’s begin by looking at how the play illustrates stages of tyranny that can be applied to real life political realities. ![]() Consider this remarkable description of the tyrant’s ascent to political power: Plato, in his dialogue the Republic (Oxford: 1945, translated by Cornford), provides an amazing account of political and psychological tyranny that prefigures many of the ideas found in Shakespeare’s play. “In the early days he has a smile and a greeting for everyone he meets disclaims any absolute power makes large promises to his friends and to the public sets about the relief of debtors and the distribution of land to the people and to his supporters and assumes a mild and gracious air towards everybody. But as soon as he has disembarrassed himself of his exiled enemies by coming to terms with some and destroying others, he begins stirring up one war after another, in order that the people may feel the need of a leader, and also be so impoverished by taxation that they will be forced to think of nothing but winning their daily bread, instead of plotting against him. Moreover, if he suspects some of cherishing thoughts of freedom and not submitting to his rule, he will find a pretext for putting them at the enemy’s mercy and so making away with them. For all these reasons a despot must be constantly provoking wars….This of course will lead to his being hated by his countrymen more and more. ![]() ![]() These machinations lead to an unjust soul with neither friends nor freedom: If the despot is to maintain his rule, he must gradually make away with these malcontents, until he has not a friend or enemy left who is of any account.” (297) Also, the bolder spirits among those who have helped him to power and now hold positions of influence will begin by speaking their mind to him and among themselves and criticize his policy. “In private life, before they gain power, men of this stamp either consort with none but parasites ready to do them any service, or, if they have a favour to beg, they will not hesitate themselves to cringe and posture in simulated friendliness, which soon cools off when their end is gained.
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