By Carol Lucas
For those of you who bother to read my column, you know that I have been “in absentia” for the past few weeks. My life has been consumed in moving to a new abode, something not for the faint of heart, and certainly not for an 83 year old. Much as I enjoy writing my weekly column, I found I had to back burner it for a while.
Thus when a friend mentioned a letter to the editor that addressed one of my articles about Shakespeare, I had to admit I had no time to read anything lately. However, I made it a point to pick up that edition of The Island News to read with the next morning’s coffee. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? Not a sleigh, but rather, said letter.
Now I fully understand that any writer who puts himself or herself out there is asking for commentary, be it good, bad, or ugly. To believe otherwise is foolhardy. Thus I accept any criticism or dissent, and while I may not agree with your stance, I will justify with my last breath your right to state it. Conversely, I retain that same right to reply. This is what freedom of speech is all about.
And so to my critic’s comments, and my responses, albeit that they are two months late.
Let’s begin with the writer’s assumption that Shakespeare would have been a Republican. I found this a bit amusing in that her support of this contention was, “He had common sense and paid attention to what went on around him.” Details, my dear, details.
Let me refute this with a few quotes from the Bard.
“All that glitters is not gold.” This is a cautionary against being deceived by outward appearances. Apparently, 47 has not read the play when you consider the new “look” of the oval office.
“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.” “Henry IV,” Part 2, Act III. No. 47 shared what appeared to be an AI-generated video on social media showing himself wearing a crown and flying a jet that dumps brown liquid on demonstrators. Classy!
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” from “Romeo and Juliet.” It means that a name is just a label and doesn’t change the inherent nature or quality of a thing. 47 wasn’t happy with the “inherent nature” of the White House Rose Garden so he decided to “pave it.” I will add to this the demolition of the East Wing, without congressional approval.
“It is a tale told by an idiot. Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Macbeth, Act 5. Can there be a better description of our current President? His strategy for winning any argument is to yell louder than the other person. Or he resorts to name-calling. One only has to think, “Quiet, Piggy.”
His speeches are not only riddled with lies, but he has become so rambling and so ill-organized that even Republicans are questioning his mental status.
So, Shakespeare a Republican? I question that assertion.
In her reference to Richard III, she uses the quote, “The winter of our discontent,” and then goes on to allude to liberal hatred and “outright lawlessness.” Again examples of this “liberal lawlessness” are glaringly missing, but since that is the case, let me help.
Outright lawlessness is rampant in the current administration. Period. This was most apparent with the treasonous support of January 6. It has come to light that the Trump Campaign paid more than $4.3 million to Jan. 6 event organizers. That he repealed all of the rioters sentences would seem to support that.
Just the facts, Ma’am, just the facts!
My respect for Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney seemed to bother my critic. I will always believe there is a huge difference between real conservatives and MAGA. If the writer had bothered to read most of my articles, she would know that I have made that distinction many times. Furthermore, I prefer to think of myself as a centrist, a fiscal conservative and a social liberal.
Finally to the language I used. It would seem that I offended the sensitivities of my critic with the use of the phrase “growing a set.” To her I was very unladylike, and perhaps she is right. I would like to suggest, however, that she look at the language of that candidate she dubbed “having the audacity to work hard and beat the queen of the liberals in 2016.” The candidate she, in all probability, voted for. Apparently, his language didn’t catch her attention.
Remember his “grab them by the —-” comment? And calling Haiti and African countries “shit-hole countries”? If one is going to be affronted, I might suggest that the first comment would have been enough to do it. It might have even gone so far as to sway one’s vote, unless, of course, you are into cherry-picking your concerns.
On that I do NOT digress!
I am accused of hating 47. Hate is a very strong word, one I use sparingly. Do I hate what he has done to this country in 11 months? Without a doubt. On that topic, I have written, and will continue to write multiple columns.
My critic suggests that her “civilized” society is disgusted. I will respond that I, too, am disgusted. Disgusted with those who wear blinders to what this man is doing to our democracy; disgusted with his overt display of immorality; disgusted with his racism, his sexism, his pandering to Russia’s Putin.
My critic concludes with the idea that today Shakespeare would look around and shake his head, that he would shed “real crocodile” tears. Must I point out that real tears and fake (crocodile) tears are two different responses?
I like to think he would shed the former. I know I do.
Happy New Year. May 2026 be joyful for all.
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
