Shakespeare's lessons for Obama

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St. George, Utah

With the presidential inauguration safely in the history books, the expectations of the nation almost certainly are weighing heavy on the shoulders of its new chief executive. While Barack Obama may have legions of advisors and handlers to help him acclimate to his position, he would also find plenty of worthwhile wisdom concerning the potential pitfalls of power and leadership in William Shakespeare's classic play "Richard II."

As is the case with any classic, the lessons of "Richard II" don't have to be in perfect literal agreement with President Obama's situation to offer valuable insights into the human condition. But it's worth considering a few of the lessons that may be gleaned from this historical classic about a king's internal struggle.

Richard II becomes the King of England as a young man who, upon his coronation, quickly becomes caught up in the perceived majesty of his position. He quickly develops wasteful spending habits and dispenses political favors upon his politically connected friends at the expense of his subjects. His focus becomes fixed upon the influence of his position and the divine right of kings that empowers his every wish.

This belief that his kingly power is derived from above, and therefore beyond reproach, leads him to pursue his own duplicitous desires at the cost of neglecting important kingly duties associated with his office. When his actions are called into question, Richard defends them with the statement, "Am I not King?"

Richard II becomes so enamored with the arbitrary exercise of his power, as opposed to ensuring that his power is being exercised correctly, that he begins to alienate those commoners over whom he rules. He returns from one of his pet wars with Ireland to find that one of the individuals who suffered under his self-serving policies has managed to rally the populace against him and by appealing to and assuming the power that comes from the people, this individual effectively wrests Richard's country and eventually the crown from his control.

The lesson for our new president and for elected leaders at every level can be found in Richard's internal battle to see his kingly power for what it is: a sacred trust with attendant duties to those whom he leads and not as a blank check to do whatever he wishes simply by invoking divine right.

Too often today we see a tendency in those who assume public office to begin regarding themselves as public officials whose job is to rule the people rather than as public servants whose duty is to serve those who elected them. But only an electorate that spends more time at the library than in front of a television screen is likely to appreciate the difference.

Throughout human history, great power has proven to be a stumbling block more often than not. Keeping it in a proper perspective requires an understanding of human nature. As any student of the classics can attest, human nature hasn't changed much since Shakespeare wrote his plays. Sphere: Related Content