Shakespeare’s genius created characters in literature, perhaps the first writer to portray humans as heroic and flawed, triumphal and defeated, insightful and blind,…..in short, what readers adore. Prior to Shakespeare, characters in poetry and prose were largely symbolic of classic traits,…..representing Courage, Fidelity, Evil, Wisdom, Good, Fertility, Power, and so on.
Greek myths fabulous yes, but typically humans are not portrayed in-the-flesh as the vulnerable, quixotic characters we are. Who inspired Shakespeare to pursue this radical shift in literature? Maybe the writer who invented the essay, the original virtuoso of introspection, humility, and conjecture. Que scais-je?,…..his signature phrase. Love it.
Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) was a humanist nonpareil,…..described as “Having all the qualities a reader would desire in a friend.” Consider enjoying his essai(etymology – trial, weigh) “On Presumption”. 2021 will be even more turbulent as young people unfortunately will witness poor behavior, suffer more ir-rational statements, divisive action, and unappreciated historical perspective,……mirroring the times Montaigne lived through in 16th C France.
Few physicians write as concisely on uncertainty and disputation than John Ioannidis – attached are his thoughts on our dysfunctional focus upon “minor health issues”, an ultimately wasteful and harmful habit he suggests.
We appreciate systematic reviews to digest bulky literature,.….we adore clinical practice guidelines to improve value and safety,.….we know placental transfusion of the newborn is healthful,…..so also attached is a systematic review from Liyanage et al of 44 guidelines addressing deferred cord clamping and cord milking,…..not a minor health issue.
Joe Kaempf, MD
District VIII Oregon Representative
Portland, OR
Volume 13, Number 3