TWO HEADS AND A HAND

(Based on texts and figures from Shakespeare’s plays)

Shakespeare’s ruthless political observations on the government made him a major
political thinker. His plays constitute a reflection on the concept of leadership and power, like any political or historical argumentation. In reading his plays, especially the histories, it is clear that political issues are at their core. It is true that in Lebanon we’ve not had one dictator rule the country for decades, as is the case in several Arab Countries, however, we have a culture that is obsessed with certain leaders and male figures that have been in government for years. After the
revolutions in the Arab world and the regimes that resulted from them and the wars that followed and continue, and within the governmental inadequacy in Lebanon, power is shifting towards multiple and unexpected coalitions, but figures of patriarchy are still moving and shaking the region, which seems to be holding on to images of ruthless authority. We are interested in asking Shakespeare’s questions today, in order to analyze and question the dominant archetypes of patriarchy in our context.