Some analogies are so perfect that it’s almost a relief to find that someone’s made them before. This afternoon it occurred to me that John McCain is Coriolanus; when I rushed to the oracle Google to validate my claim, the entrails of the search results read “Yes, and?”
Of course, the problem with dramatic analogy in particular is that people look at the plot first, and therefore assume the comparison must have some sort of predictive power. But I could never picture McCain leaving the Romans for the Volsces, whether you take the Volsces to be the Viet Cong, the Democrats or the terrorists (of course, if the last, he wouldn’t even know which camp to get directions to). If the Coriolanus, the work, is the central criterion, the modern-day equivalent wouldn’t be John McCain but rather his buddy Joe Lieberman. In order to figure out why just knowing how the last play ended won’t tell us how this one will pan out, it’s more illuminating to look at Coriolanus, the character — and more particularly, the role he plays in the broader drama of Roman politics versus the role that has been crafted for John McCain over the course of this election and his career.
And by role I mean the label “war hero.”
Both take their war heroism as their heritage: Coriolanus is Marcus Brutus before the battle of Corioles rechristens him in blood, and as Bill Kauffman points out in his excellent essay (which I’ll return to later; h/t Helen) McCain points out that “the place I lived longest in my life was Hanoi.” But for Coriolanus, it’s the “war” part of “war hero” that is important. His fealty is to blood, and by blood he determines his loyalties to men: both those who spill his blood (such as the Volscian general, Aufidius, whose dialogue with Coriolanus rivals 300 for martial homoeroticism) and those of his blood. His mother, Volumnia, rivals Lady Macbeth for the best role for a mature female actress in Shakespeare, and the scene in which she shames him out of attacking Rome at the head of the Volscian army is downright thrilling. And John McCain has no Volumnia.
It’s because the lesson of John McCain’s battle wounds, more psychological than sanguinary, wasn’t to adopt war as his mantle and armor, but rather the second half of the epithet: “hero.” McCain’s straight-backed honor is born of war, but it’s greater than that, and his loyalty isn’t to blood or battlefields but to honor itself. “Senator McCain’s loyalty is not to any particular American place but rather to a bureaucratic institution (the military) and an abstraction (the American Empire),” Kauffman writes. I’m not so sure that these are the loci of his loyalty, but rather conduits to it — wet nurses or governesses, if you will. The military raised McCain as a ward of Honor, just as Volumnia raised Coriolanus as a ward of Mars.
Believe me, it’s quite tempting to see a man who treats the mortgage crisis as callously as his analogue treated famine, or who genuinely seems uninterested in matters domestic, or who sings “bomb, bomb Iran” in the Senate, as a purely martial being. But the maverick doesn’t seem to have the ties of blood and brotherhood that characterize those who live for war; allegiances and emnities will shift for him, because his guidance is the north star of Honor. It’s not just fighting or even fighting for, it’s fighting through.
Which, of course, might be the other explanation for the Shiite-Sunni mixup — they know which they are, and they can sort it out on their own time. John McCain has other things to do. The brittleness of the man in politics living for something as solitary and antipolitical as war or honor is a parallel that does hold, whether the fight he’s daydreaming about as he sits squashed in the Senate chamber takes place on a real battlefield or a moral one.
To be honest, though, the most fun parts of the parallel are picturing Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter as the tribunes — the self-proclaimed “voices of the people” who are by far the most political animals in the play.
Interesting you should post this just as I’m (a) cementing my commitment to McCain, and (b) reviewing CORIOLANUS by rereading the play and listening again to the awesome recording starring Richard Burton and Jessica Tandy!
But one point to add. Volumnia tells Coriolanus, before he goes before the plebs for the second time:
“Thy valiantness was mine, thou suck’dst it from me,
But owe thy pride thyself.”
I see Marcian honor in McCain, but not Marcian pride.
Yes, Rush and Coulter make great tribunes, but there’ll be plenty more. Already the “Tritons of minnows” are professing shock, shock, that Cindy has not revealed her tax returns, as though it were a huge secret that she’s an heiress. “Hang ‘em.”
McCain as Coriolanus and Obama as Othello! Epic battle of two great warriors of very different character. That’s what I’m working on. More when I finish…
McCain as Coriolanus and Obama as Othello! Epic battle of two great warriors of very different character. That’s what I’m working on. It’ll be a Shakespeare seminar on a cruise ship bound for Mexico. The very dramatic Election Day will fall smack in the middle of the cruise.
Contact me if you’re interested. june.gene@yahoo.com
…And at the cruise’s conclusion, I assume those passengers supporting the losing candidate will sprout fake mustaches and passports and disappear into Mexico, never to be heard from again?
I don’t really see the Obama-Othello connection, other than the obvious race thing. He’s certainly not the Democratic candidate most known for a tendency to listen to the wrong people and succumb to jealousy. I see him as Cassio to Hillary’s Othello, leaving interesting possibilities for Bill Clinton as Iago…
Thanks for your response, Dara! Yes, if McCain wins, some on the cruise may feel like jumping ship and staying on in Mexico rather than come home after such a devastating outcome. “To jump or not to jump” will be the question.
I haven’t fully worked it out yet, but I’m thinking of Obama/Othello as a fine fellow, a noble person, a great orator, much-admired but not fully trusted. An outsider, and yes one resented for his race.
But more later.
It occured to me a while back that McCain is Coriolanus (though perhaps not so early as this article). But tonight during the third “debate” I felt vindicated by his pronouncement that “I got the scars to prove it” (he he was talking not about his imprisonment, but his “taking on” of his own party).
And so I finally Googled, and was rewarded with this meta-experience, of finding someone who had made the connection and Googled…
But seriously, neither candidate could stand up to Ralph Nader. The proof? That Nader wasn’t allowed in. They’re too scared, and they know enough to keep him out. Sound conspiratorial?
http://www.youtube.com/cp/vjVQa1PpcFPxzpRradPFa9Vdl03r5Ucn_K2-oS2CzSM=
John McCain is also a very good politician. he did not win because the people are not satisfied on the Republicans.*;,
john mccain seems to be a very reasonable and intellegent guy but he is not as charismatic as obama-~”
John McCain is one of the best politicians that i know, he works very hard to satisfy his constituents;`:
I like this post is very interesting and I didn’t know to many things that you has written over here… It is fabulous I really want to learn more about it!.
Very interesting post with all this information just amazing to see how good you guys do your the best to bring this blog,thanks.
I was very happy to find this net-site.I needed to thanks for your time for this excellent learn!! I undoubtedly having fun with each little little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.
My wife and I definitely think that this short article was highly beautiful. You’re definitely going to appreciate this quote. – “A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.
Whoah this blog is great i like studying your articles. Stay up the good paintings! You already know, many individuals are looking round for this info, you could aid them greatly.
I was just looking for this info for some time. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list. Usually the top websites are full of garbage.
Thank you for any other informative blog. Where else may just I am getting that kind of info written in such an ideal manner? I’ve a venture that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.
My husband and i were now relieved when Edward managed to carry out his basic research using the ideas he was given through your web pages. It’s not at all simplistic to simply choose to be giving freely tips which usually the others could have been trying to sell. We really know we now have the website owner to thank for that. These explanations you’ve made, the simple blog menu, the friendships you can give support to foster - it’s everything extraordinary, and it’s really letting our son and us understand this subject is thrilling, which is certainly rather mandatory. Thanks for the whole thing!
excellent post, very informative. I wonder why the other experts of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing. I’m sure, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
naturally like your web site but you have to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very troublesome to inform the reality then again I’ll certainly come back again.
I am happy that I observed this web blog, exactly the right info that I was searching for!
Good – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.
I’d must examine with you here. Which is not something I normally do! I get pleasure from studying a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to remark!
Nice post. I learn one thing more challenging on different blogs everyday. It should always be stimulating to learn content material from different writers and observe a little something from their store. I’d choose to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a link in your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & help other users like its helped me. Great job.
I was reading through some of your content on this site and I think this internet site is real informative! Retain putting up.
Thank you for any other informative website. The place else may just I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect manner? I have a undertaking that I am just now operating on, and I have been on the glance out for such information.
After study a few of the weblog posts in your web site now, and I actually like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and will likely be checking again soon. Pls take a look at my website online as nicely and let me know what you think.
I have learn some excellent stuff here. Definitely value bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much attempt you set to make this sort of fantastic informative website.
Hey, you used to write excellent, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your great writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!
Great work! That is the type of information that should be shared across the web. Shame on the seek engines for now not positioning this post upper! Come on over and talk over with my site . Thank you =)
Attractive part of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact loved account your weblog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing in your augment or even I fulfillment you access constantly quickly.
Hello! I simply want to give a huge thumbs up for the good information you have got right here on this post. I will likely be coming back to your blog for extra soon.
I’d need to test with you here. Which isn’t one thing I often do! I enjoy reading a put up that can make people think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
I have to express my appreciation to you for bailing me out of this particular circumstance. After searching throughout the the web and obtaining strategies which were not powerful, I was thinking my entire life was well over. Existing devoid of the strategies to the difficulties you’ve resolved by means of your good article content is a critical case, as well as the kind that might have badly damaged my entire career if I had not discovered your site. Your personal understanding and kindness in playing with almost everything was priceless. I don’t know what I would have done if I had not come upon such a stuff like this. I can also at this moment relish my future. Thanks for your time very much for this expert and sensible guide. I will not think twice to propose your blog post to anybody who should have guidance about this matter.
Wonderful website. Lots of helpful information here. I’m sending it to several friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you in your sweat!
Thanks this is very informative . Bookmarked your website
It is in point of fact a great and useful piece of info. I am glad that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is really irritating. A good website with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters? I Can not find it.
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my friend were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such fantastic info being shared freely out there…
I have been gone for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently do you update your blog?
Thank you for sharing excellent information. Your web-site is so cool. I am impressed by the info that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles.
You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched all over the place and just could not locate it. What a perfect web site.
Mh, your homepage doesn’t look right to me when I access it using my android phone. Maybe you could try optimizing your page for smart phone visitors as well.
I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again..
http://kenwalicki.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/278/