Shakespeare and the Burdens of Leadership

Shakespeare has written about kings and leaders, some who were consideredsuccessful like Henry the fifth, and some who were considered failures likeRichard the second. In this collection of essays the author analyzes his view ofthe burdens of leadership, that included issues of power, justice, andresponsibility. The author shows how Shakespeare addressed each and everyone of these issues in interesting ways.From the opening essay on "the Burdens of Leadership", the discussion...
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Shakespeare has written about kings and leaders, some who were consideredsuccessful like Henry the fifth, and some who were considered failures likeRichard the second. In this collection of essays the author analyzes his view ofthe burdens of leadership, that included issues of power, justice, andresponsibility. The author shows how Shakespeare addressed each and everyone of these issues in interesting ways.From the opening essay on "the Burdens of Leadership", the discussion covers:First: Power: Generally speaking, Leaders must seek and exercise power inways that are consonant with a system of values, not through absolute tyranny.Ultimately human values insist on respect for human dignity, and rejectnegative things from torture to mendacity.Second: Justice: Justice is not only to enforce the law equally, but also toensure that the law itself is fair to all. This means that legalism without justiceis not an exercise in leadership. And in more subtle ways that exclusion ofminorities and discrimination against them is inherently unjust. Also thatjustice towards women is an essential part of societal justice.Third: Responsibility: Leaders must take responsibility for their actions, andshall be judged accordingly. Those who are in a position of leadership and tryto evade their responsibilities will ultimately lead their societies to disastrousresults.Then separate essays treat the plays "Henry V" and "Richard II". Insightfulcommentary rounds out this book.