Tyrant: Shakespeare on Politics

by Stephen Greenblatt

When an autocratic, paranoid, narcissistic ruler sits down with a civil servant and asks for his loyalty, the state is in danger.

The plot twist is worth dwelling upon. It is as if the leader of a political party long identified with hatred of Russia—forever saber-rattling and accusing the rival politicians of treason—should secretly make his way to Moscow and offer his services to the Kremlin.