Two Heads and a Hand

Shakespeare’s ruthless political observations on the government made of 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.

Presentation dates and locations

Presented in its original version in October 2016 during 20 years of al-Madina at Al-Madina Theater Beirut, and in December 2016 at Mansion, Beirut. 

Presented as a developed version in April 2018 at Zoukak Studio, Beirut.