B
Power, history and society
All living beings belong to one or more communities. When
one takes shape, it immediately becomes important for its
members to strengthen their feelings of solidarity. How is
this accomplished or hindered? The major forces that
benefit or harm our life in community with others can be
grouped under the main headings of instinct, accident and
insight.
Secure instincts are found in firm characters, an Othello
or a Viola. A lucky accident lets a superficial character
like Orlando be held in place by a fortunate environment.
Instinct and accident are both uncertain sources of growth
in our common life, however, since we do not master, and
know next to nothing about, their underlying causes.
Understanding is therefore a much safer foundation, and
Shakespeare promotes growth in fellow feeling by showing
his audience actions which lead to harmony or to
disintegration. Indeed, the insights gained over
generations in such involved areas are communicated by all
distinguished drama.
By way of introduction we shall look at a play that weaves
together four important themes.