What is the connection between Shakespeare and politics?

Understanding human nature.

Ken Adelman: The link is that . . . human nature. Shakespeare had the greatest insights into what makes people tick than anybody in the world. And Sam Rayburn, who was a great Speaker of the House of Representatives, said, "Anybody who can't size up another person in the first 20 seconds doesn't belong in my profession." And he talked about politics. But Sam Rayburn's statement was true of any profession. You can't make it in the world unless you understand human nature. What motivates people, what discourages people, what enlivens people, what inspires people. And no one saw that like William Shakespeare.
Recorded on: 7/2/07 at The Aspen Ideas Festival

Ken Adelman: The link is that . . . human nature. Shakespeare had the greatest insights into what makes people tick than anybody in the world. And Sam Rayburn, who was a great Speaker of the House of Representatives, said, "Anybody who can't size up another person in the first 20 seconds doesn't belong in my profession." And he talked about politics. But Sam Rayburn's statement was true of any profession. You can't make it in the world unless you understand human nature. What motivates people, what discourages people, what enlivens people, what inspires people. And no one saw that like William Shakespeare.
Recorded on: 7/2/07 at The Aspen Ideas Festival