My Own Shakespeare
Chris Patten
May 18, 2012
Chris Patten, former Governor of Hong Kong, discusses the power of tension in Shakespeare's Coriolanus, exploring themes of authoritarianism, democracy, and personal desires versus societal expectations.
02:34
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Quick takeaways
- The central theme of Coriolanus is the conflict between stern authoritarianism and populist democracy, which is showcased through the character of Coriolanus.
- Tension plays a pivotal role in both the character development and the delivery of political speeches in Coriolanus, highlighting the significance of tension in Shakespeare's works.
Deep dives
The Debate Between Stern Authoritarianism and Populist Democracy
The podcast discusses the central theme of the play Coriolanus, which is the debate between stern authoritarianism and populist democracy. The speaker finds this theme fascinating and highlights the character of Coriolanus as a representation of this conflict. He refers to a powerful speech delivered by Coriolanus before his death, praising its passionate intensity. The tension between personal principles and societal expectations is explored as a driving force of great drama.
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