Laocoön and His Sons is in the Vatican and The Boxer at Rest is in the collection of the National Museum of Rome, though they have been displayed elsewhere.
The first one is often associated with the theme of human suffering and long struggle, and I think that the serpents’ attack on the father and the sons has echoes in some of the attempts to attack Joe Biden through attacks on his sons.
And lately, there have been mock-serious discussions in the press of who, Trump or Biden, would win in a boxing match. This is partly because each has spoken of wishing for a chance to take a swing at the other. (Trump is actually recognized by the Boxing Hall of Fame for his work in supporting and promoting the sport.) There have been cartoons and animated videos [YouTube is your friend.] showing the two of them boxing each other. And there are hundreds of photos of Trump, in his rallies, raising one or two clenched fists while the crowds roar.
The word balloon floating next to the exhausted and resting boxer suggests that he has won his long struggle.
The quote about absolute power has been variously attributed but is most likely to have originated with Lord Acton’s use of a similar phrase in one of his letters. He added that he thought that this is why “Great” men are so often “Bad” men.
The second quote is most often associated with the famous 19th century boxer Bob Fitzsimmons who certainly popularized it, but it’s origins are much older than that and it too has been variously attributed.
At the level of implication, there’s a lot going on in today’s strip. But I think it is in part a meditation on the phenomenon of the unexpected winner, the David who defeats the Goliath.
And that has clear resonance with the events surrounding the election of Joe Biden as President of the United States.
Patrick Marrin got the political quotation wrong. Lord Acton (John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton), an historian, wrote: “Power TENDS to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men . . . .” on 05 April 1887. After setting the record straight, I believe Marrin’s misquote is probably closer to the mark, given my strong belief that psychopathy is a spectrum character disorder, i.e., we’re ALL subject to the temptations that arise every day and we are each corrupted by those temptations, even if we’re not moved to act on them immediately. We remember our opportunity and, when we think the coast is clear, we succumb. The corruption’s effect might linger in our psyches for years before we give in and it quite probably sets us to thinking “how can I do this and get away with it?” We might die before we think it’s safe to succumb, but we are corrupted in our hearts to some degree.
The Latin quote is attributed to Caesar, concerning his conquest of Gaul. I think the 3rd word should be Vinci, the phrase translates to- I came, I saw, I conquered.
It’s interesting that we’re shown Laocoön and his sons, whom were murdered by either Poseidon, Athena, or Apollo depending on the version, while Laocoön was trying to save Troy by exposing the Trojan Horse as a trap. He should have have had more tea with Casandra.
I’m not overly familiar with the Vatican art collection, but perhaps the Moses statute would have been a better choice for this. Moses, with a little divine help, seems to have escaped the absolute power morass, and still didn’t live to see the promised land. I wonder if that’s the trade off: good leaders lead well, and let their people reap the rewards. At least I hope so.
On the other hand, if it’s a matter of good personal character makes a good leader.. we’ll that’s another kettle of fish. :)
jimmjonzz Premium Member over 3 years ago
Neaty
Keenie
Peachy
kaffekup over 3 years ago
I see Laocoön and His Sons has achieved a little more modesty.
jimmjonzz Premium Member over 3 years ago
The statues…
Laocoön and His Sons is in the Vatican and The Boxer at Rest is in the collection of the National Museum of Rome, though they have been displayed elsewhere.
The first one is often associated with the theme of human suffering and long struggle, and I think that the serpents’ attack on the father and the sons has echoes in some of the attempts to attack Joe Biden through attacks on his sons.
And lately, there have been mock-serious discussions in the press of who, Trump or Biden, would win in a boxing match. This is partly because each has spoken of wishing for a chance to take a swing at the other. (Trump is actually recognized by the Boxing Hall of Fame for his work in supporting and promoting the sport.) There have been cartoons and animated videos [YouTube is your friend.] showing the two of them boxing each other. And there are hundreds of photos of Trump, in his rallies, raising one or two clenched fists while the crowds roar.
The word balloon floating next to the exhausted and resting boxer suggests that he has won his long struggle.
The quote about absolute power has been variously attributed but is most likely to have originated with Lord Acton’s use of a similar phrase in one of his letters. He added that he thought that this is why “Great” men are so often “Bad” men.
The second quote is most often associated with the famous 19th century boxer Bob Fitzsimmons who certainly popularized it, but it’s origins are much older than that and it too has been variously attributed.
At the level of implication, there’s a lot going on in today’s strip. But I think it is in part a meditation on the phenomenon of the unexpected winner, the David who defeats the Goliath.
And that has clear resonance with the events surrounding the election of Joe Biden as President of the United States.
dflak over 3 years ago
I do not fear power for myself, but I respect it.
I keep it at bay by dwelling on the following idea, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his soul.”
bxclent Premium Member over 3 years ago
don’t let the door hit you on the way out
cocavan11 over 3 years ago
Patrick Marrin got the political quotation wrong. Lord Acton (John Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton), an historian, wrote: “Power TENDS to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men . . . .” on 05 April 1887. After setting the record straight, I believe Marrin’s misquote is probably closer to the mark, given my strong belief that psychopathy is a spectrum character disorder, i.e., we’re ALL subject to the temptations that arise every day and we are each corrupted by those temptations, even if we’re not moved to act on them immediately. We remember our opportunity and, when we think the coast is clear, we succumb. The corruption’s effect might linger in our psyches for years before we give in and it quite probably sets us to thinking “how can I do this and get away with it?” We might die before we think it’s safe to succumb, but we are corrupted in our hearts to some degree.
MFJR over 3 years ago
Power attracts the corruptible.
Rfrysinger over 3 years ago
The Latin quote is attributed to Caesar, concerning his conquest of Gaul. I think the 3rd word should be Vinci, the phrase translates to- I came, I saw, I conquered.
gmayerson over 3 years ago
It’s interesting that we’re shown Laocoön and his sons, whom were murdered by either Poseidon, Athena, or Apollo depending on the version, while Laocoön was trying to save Troy by exposing the Trojan Horse as a trap. He should have have had more tea with Casandra.
I’m not overly familiar with the Vatican art collection, but perhaps the Moses statute would have been a better choice for this. Moses, with a little divine help, seems to have escaped the absolute power morass, and still didn’t live to see the promised land. I wonder if that’s the trade off: good leaders lead well, and let their people reap the rewards. At least I hope so.
On the other hand, if it’s a matter of good personal character makes a good leader.. we’ll that’s another kettle of fish. :)
jimmjonzz Premium Member over 3 years ago
And in today’s [November 11, 2020] Mike Luckovich one-panel cartoon…
The metaphorical boxing match is depicted as such.