Trump Steals a Move from Shakespeare's Richard III

Today's episode of The Daily (The Showdown at Lafayette Square) details how Donald Trump used the U.S. military to disperse nonviolent protesters with tear gas so that he could creep out of his bunker and pose at St. John's Church with a bible in his hand.

I would applaud our fearful leader for his iniquitous inventiveness, but Shakespeare got there first.

When Shakespeare's Richard III (who is far more charming and eloquent than Trump, but shares his misshapen ego and hunger for loyalty and power) wants to appear above the fray (although he has been wielding his power behind the scenes in maniacal fashion) his slimy advisor, the Duke of Buckingham, gives him a prop. 

A prayer book.

It's ham-handed, but some people love that kind of overt symbolism.

Richard has killed and slandered everyone in his path and galvanized the military. Still, Buckingham counsels Richard to "play the maid's part" when the mayor offers him the crown. He poses him between two churchmen with a prayer-book. The Lord Mayor is properly impressed (or at least pretends to be, to avoid the wrath of Richard).

So Richard plays the part of a pious devotee . . . for a moment. And then he accepts absolute power. 

"I am not made of stone," Richard tells the audience, winking at us, letting us in on the joke. In the same way, Trump tweets, letting his fans in on the fun.

Are we headed down the same plotline? I don't know, but it's worth reading Richard just so you know it.

Here is the scene:

BUCKINGHAM

The mayor is here at hand: intend some fear;
Be not you spoke with, but by mighty suit:
And look you get a prayer-book in your hand,
And stand betwixt two churchmen, good my lord;
For on that ground I'll build a holy descant:
And be not easily won to our request:
Play the maid's part, still answer nay, and take it.

LORD MAYOR

See, where he stands between two clergymen!

BUCKINGHAM

Two props of virtue for a Christian prince,
To stay him from the fall of vanity:
And, see, a book of prayer in his hand,
True ornaments to know a holy man.
Famous Plantagenet, most gracious prince,
Lend favourable ears to our request;
And pardon us the interruption
Of thy devotion and right Christian zeal.

RICHARD of GLOUCESTER

My lord, there needs no such apology:
I rather do beseech you pardon me,
Who, earnest in the service of my God,
Neglect the visitation of my friends.
But, leaving this, what is your grace's pleasure?

You can't make this stuff up.