The Bard, the Bathroom, and the Common Good: Shakespeare’s Timeless and Timely Political Though
by Adam Carrington, Public Discourse:
Whether we discuss the nature of marriage or the rules governing bathroom use, Shakespeare calls on us to remember who we are as human beings and how our nature should be reflected in our society’s mores and laws.
This weekend marks the four hundredth anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, the English language’s greatest playwright. In his thirty-seven plays, Shakespeare makes all the world a stage, displaying human life in its unity and complexity. As part of that display, many of his dramas delve deeply into the perpetual questions of political thought—questions of justice, law, and rule.
Shakespeare’s thoughts on these matters are both timeless and timely, touching on some of the most pressing issues in our present political discourse. His works show us how we should understand the relationship between nature and convention when considering the legal issues of gender and sexuality. They also remind us that, in contemporary fights between elites and the people, we must never lose sight of the contributions—and limitations—of both toward the common good.
The Question of Nature and Convention
The first perpetual political question Shakespeare addresses concerns the relationship between human nature and convention. Today, it manifests itself most prominently in issues of sexual identity. Some argue that concepts such as gender and rules governing sexual activity are mere constructs of society. Others claim that our traditional understanding of gender and sexuality stems from a perpetual, universal, and prescriptive understanding of what it means to be human. Where do we draw the line between a set, intrinsic human nature and a fluid, imposed social construct? What relationship should exist between the two in our laws?
Related Posts
Tags
Share This
