All the world’s a stage

appropriate reference to today's political stage

Well, he was quite political in his time

That is the first time I've heard that perspective. My English lit teacher would have given you an A in his class.

“Political” in that case meant he was satirising the intrigues of the Royal Court and the power struggles both within royal families and amongst the courtiers.

Fun fact: Lear’s fool is nobody’s fool. The court fool in King Lear is actually quite clever and witty, showing insights into court life.

“ We'll set thee to school to an ant, to teach thee
there's no labouring i' the winter. All that follow
their noses are led by their eyes but blind men; and
there's not a nose among twenty but can smell him
that's stinking. Let go thy hold when a great wheel
runs down a hill, lest it break thy neck with
following it: but the great one that goes up the
hill, let him draw thee after. When a wise man
gives thee better counsel, give me mine again: I
would have none but knaves follow it, since a fool gives it.
That sir which serves and seeks for gain,
And follows but for form,
Will pack when it begins to rain,
And leave thee in the storm,
But I will tarry; the fool will stay,
And let the wise man fly:
The knave turns fool that runs away;
The fool no knave, perdy”

Compare and contrast the language of the fool and the language of Royalty in Shakespeare’s King Lear. Who is wise, and who has wit? How does Shakespeare subvert and deconstruct the contemporary roles of Political power players and the foolish court jester in King Lear?

(Show that to your lit teacher. Disclaimer: I did not complete my literature honours thesis at Uni, but I do have 1 1/2 Masters degrees in behavioural sciences and psychology. You can learn more about behavioural science in action by waiting tables than you do in Uni though.

PS I did get decent grades in both Masters courses. But you learn more by observation and testing out the theories in the real world.

What do you want to do with your masters?

Lol...wise, you are

Nice comments. My English lit teacher is probably gone now but would have applauded. It's been over 25 years since I've read Shakespeare but it continues to be relevant in modern times. Everyone should be taught how to read it...it takes practice but once you can read it its very enjoyable and very witty. I have a bachelor's in human development with a minor in religious studies. I struggled through human development with all the family sciences courses: it was like subconsciously going through therapy.