George---after trying to read a zillion posts, I decided to write on the one that most intrigued me- and that was CGB's statement that Clinton is a tragic hero, followed by your argument that he's really a comedic buffoon. I think a case can be made for him being either, but probably both (well-what else would you expect from penni the grey/gray?) In other words-we have a tragicomedy.
Is it true that man is the only animal who can both laugh and cry, who can see the absurdity of what is, but weep for what he knows could be?
Yours and Christine's views of Clinton aren't mutually exclusive at all--just one reality viewed from different psychological states.
I could bore the hell out of everyone because I did a paper in grad. school on The Tragic Hero but I'll spare you, except to say that Clinton does fit the criteria to this point in many ways; he need not be faultless, (to paraphrase Othello, he loved not wisely but too many) but now, to complete the tragic process, he has to provide us with catharsis---you know-lots of remorse and suffering and maybe a symbolic suicide (resignation?). Oedipus put his own eyes out; maybe Clinton could --well-I'll leave it to your imagination. If there is is no realization of this flaw, a true comprehension of his hubris-then he fails to make the cut for the Tragic Hero Hall of Fame.
On the side of Comedy-- we have a complex plot full of absurdisms and twists, and foolish characters with whom we really don't want to identify. Unfortunately it's where Clinton's hubris led him that causes the problem with genre, don't you think? It's just too ridiculous.
Another thought--CGB has always shown such compassion for Clinton--it made me think of Shylock who is seen much more sympathetically now than he was in Shakespeare's time. And Willie Loman is often discussed now as to whether he's a TH or not. Our definitions have changed; we now question ourselves a lot more. Now we interpret heroic flaws as a deficiency in infancy, or heroic action as good upbringing. But I wander---this really did interest me and I apologize for the not very pertinent meandering.
But here's a great quote peculiarly apt here, I think!
The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel. (Horace Walpole)
Lord, what fools we mortals be! |
