Long-time readers of rogueclassicism will possibly recall that I sometimes bewail the apparently total lack of knowledge of Classical references in our political system up here in the Great White North. Accordingly, it is worth noting that the one recurring Classical image which we do see in Canadian politics is the so-called 'night of the long knives', which is something unpopular leaders of political parties are said to undergo when their party wants to dump them. Most recently, this happened to Liberal leader Stephane Dion and the CBC has an editorial by Don Murray which evokes the image clearly in a piece commenting on leadership changes in Canada and France:
I think Mr. Murray is thinking more of Brutus via Shakespeare rather than Plutarch, but it doesn't really matter. For the record, I am fully aware of the 'night of the long knives' connection to events in Nazi Germany and in the UK in 1962. In Canada, however, there always seems to be this 'stab in back'/betrayal a la Brutus aspect to it ... I first heard of it in connection to the time when Dalton Camp was operating to get John Diefenbaker removed as leader of the Conservatives back in 1966 (although I heard of it much later, of course ... there was a book by that title, as I recall). The phrase was also used by folks in Quebec after being 'left out' in the so-called "Kitchen Accord" when assorted premiers and other politicos were working on the patriation of the Canadian Constitution back in 1981. It's actually one of those semi-regularly-heard expressions when a Canadian leader's position is in jeopardy ... "the knives are out for ...".
The danger of being Brutus (CBC)
The examples of Brutus, 2052 years ago, and Dion, just days back, illustrate the dangers of coups d'etat, both attempted and successful.
Brutus, we know from Plutarch, was a plodding, honest opposition senator. He became concerned, then angry, at the arrogant ways and brazen usurping of power by Caesar. So he helped form a coalition of knife-wielders.
The coalition dispatched Caesar on the Ides of March. But Brutus was an honourable man, at least in Shakespeare's view, and, rather than bury the body in the dead of night, he allowed a public funeral and a funeral oration by Marc Antony.
The speech was a masterpiece of truth, half-lies and spin. Brutus and the coalition lost the PR war. There were riots, followed by civil war. Brutus chose the wrong side.
His army faced defeat, he faced capture. According to Plutarch, he said, "we must fly, not with our feet but with our hands." His hands took a blade and pushed it into his chest.
I think Mr. Murray is thinking more of Brutus via Shakespeare rather than Plutarch, but it doesn't really matter. For the record, I am fully aware of the 'night of the long knives' connection to events in Nazi Germany and in the UK in 1962. In Canada, however, there always seems to be this 'stab in back'/betrayal a la Brutus aspect to it ... I first heard of it in connection to the time when Dalton Camp was operating to get John Diefenbaker removed as leader of the Conservatives back in 1966 (although I heard of it much later, of course ... there was a book by that title, as I recall). The phrase was also used by folks in Quebec after being 'left out' in the so-called "Kitchen Accord" when assorted premiers and other politicos were working on the patriation of the Canadian Constitution back in 1981. It's actually one of those semi-regularly-heard expressions when a Canadian leader's position is in jeopardy ... "the knives are out for ...".
The danger of being Brutus (CBC)