What a thought-provoking post. I just finished "Will in the World" by Stephen Greenblatt. In it, Greenblatt has an excellent discussion of King Lear's MLC. Fascinating.
I have also found insight regarding my own conduct in Portia's "The quality of mercy" speech from The Merchant of Venice:
PORTIA: The quality of mercy is not strain'd, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptred sway; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice.
My therapist said Shakespeare was the first published psychologist, and I think she's right!
