"Categorizing Classic": Shall I Compare Thee To The "Modern Day" ?
- Indiana Humniski
- Nov 19, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 22, 2022
Close-reading the royal-ish politician, Richard III, recently seen on YOUR local news station?
William Shakespeare, a frilly-laced apparition, hundreds of years ago decides to put a pen's mark onto paper... yet, can his eponymous dive into Richard III's actions truly transfer into the political atmosphere of 2021?
Article Edited: December 22nd, 2022 (hello past indiana!)
"With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony, I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet." - Mary Shelley
First, let me introduce you to my first blog post underneath the "categorizing classic" stream. On Alias Indiana, I wanted to explore the modern ties between classics and the world today - AND also look into why society reveres these novels with this label.
How Can A "Classic" Still Hold Relevance?
In order to fully understand a classic of Shakespearean calibre,
you will require a time machine.
Honestly, all classic literature seems to fall underneath the same mental image as the archaic beliefs of cocaine curing the common cold, relying on bloodletting via leeches, and wearing those puffy-sleeved white shirts used for remakes of Anne Of Green Gables or Little Women. Though, Timothee Chalamet still rocked it (thanks, Greta Gerwig)!
Now, the shirts may still be fashionable (according to who you ask, I say a resounding yes), the other items upon that list would be deemed by the majority as symbols of a previous existence - a world far beyond our own modern conventions.
This Terabithia-like view on a fantastical world of "Classic Literature" seems endlessly enticing when aligned with the ooky-spooky medical treatments (and fashions) of the time period. Since they were written (and worn) so long ago, these lessons can fade into the background.
When peered at by the youth of today (including myself) plays like Richard III are left appearing flavourless... but they can be more relevant than we assume, when close-reading comes into play (wink, wink).
For the average student, it is time to hit the snooze button when assigned chapters out of Dickens, Tolstoy, or the English-Teacher-Favourite... Shakespeare, the playwright behind Richard III. His work still seems too far placed out-of-reality, though these were tales are quite literally (see what I did there?) comprised of real stories and traumas.
Yet, his writings contain glimpses of the world from whence we came.
I recently read through Richard III for a University Class I'm taking. It's a first year English course, a comprehensive introduction to "forensic literature"! Shout-Out to Dr. Erin Weinberg. Honestly, having a professor with a background in Shakespeare definitely helps move things along, it's like a literary tour guide service.
Now, let's call up a definition of the word "forensic" for a moment...
"...belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate"
"relating to or dealing with the application of scientific knowledge to legal problems" (Merriam-Webster)
In the case of the late King Richard III, I would assume that most would agree that Richard's "life's story" (as dictated by Shakespeare...) fits the ticket for "legal problems".
The average man cannot simply murder multiple family members and just... slip past the system, unless he is entitled to the protection of the monarchy. The King is a representative of God, the King can *essentially* do no wrong, as his will is basically the will of the Almighty.
Here's the loophole, friends...
Richard III wasn't ever "supposed" to be the King.
In modern circles TODAY, this idea of accidental appointment can extend into the House of Commons, the Supreme Court, or even... the Oval Office. Regardless of which international lens you look through, similar themes featured at the forefront of this play come in handy when analyzing modern culture. If we're still teaching kids about politics (and the innerworkings of nepotism within those systems), we can also be supporting these lessons with Shakespeare.
Regardless of the time frame, political figureheads still bite and claw their way to the top of the food chain, the peak of "success" fostered with a desired connection to becoming god-like. With the inherent power laid in these positions, the person who holds this sceptre automatically holds the power over the truth... no matter how many claims of "fake news" may fall from their lips! Okay, that's more of a specific reference. But, these moments are occurring more and more as they mount the ladder of power.
Political paragons may not literally (again, see what I did there?) murder their rivals to climb to the top, but in a world of social media - smear campaigns accomplish the same blood-lusted goal of destruction to one's character.
Damage can result when a politician feels too comfortable in their position, allowed to simply sit back and avoid any accountability for their actions (or their lack of actions). When a seat has been carved out for this leader, they can end up acting like it's in their power to disregard the rules, resulting in a sense of privilege and entitlement. Richard also followed this pathway, evading the naturally aligned succession que towards the throne. He took his own path to speed towards privilege, but was still born along the trail.
Like many leaders today, he was born into a position where power was close by.
When politicians mimic the destruction desired by Richard in their own trek towards leadership or success, the ripples of these actions reach far and wide. Instead of a town crier proclaiming the news in Shakespearean circles, these incidents are instead accelerated by the savvy speed of social media.
Continuing on the topic of Richard's political strategies, let's pull a quote:
From Act III Scene 6:
“Bad is the world, and all will come to naught, when such ill-dealing must be seen in thought.” - William Shakespeare
Is this not the rampant world of politics tied up into a joining couplet?
"Such ill-dealing" relates to the endless smear campaigns, the dirty side of political gain hidden under polished press training and copious amounts of hair gel.
Even in the 16th century, he still gets it on the nose.
Regardless of your own personal interpretations (which I would LOVE to hear about through the chat box on the homepage), the deeper analysis of moments like these prove the ever-present relevance of your high school English teacher's beloved rap-god William Shakespeare.
Whether you look at his works in high school, university, or during adulthood... each stage of life breathes new meaning behind the words presented. Perhaps when you're younger you romanticize the yearning of Romeo... then, in university, you call him a toxic boyfriend with love-bombing tendencies. As you mature, your outlook on life changes, furthermore, your outlook on Shakespeare changes too.
Though the language is hard to understand at times, understandably. If you haven't got a trusted time machine (hot tub or non-hot-tub) at your immediate disposal, I would strongly recommend "No Fear Shakespeare"... or taking a class from Dr. Weinberg, whichever floats your fictional boat!
Click the link here to look into the "No Fear Shakespeare" copy of Richard III, with the original text and "translated" text including modern slang + easier-to-grasp descriptions.
When themes from Richard III are still present in news cycles, students can thoughtfully link a misplaced monarch from the 1480's into current terms by keen observation and critical-thinking skills.
Through close-reading your everyday news stream, themes of unrecognized privilege, nepotism, and pettiness extend off of the pages of Shakespeare and into the scripts of modern day political speeches. Don't let the academic language discourage you, Shakespeare still wrote for the masses, including the masses of today.
Though this play's relevance may seem meaningless upon first glance at the thespian language, the modern comparisons can only be categorized into one word...
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