ὕβρις and Gorgon's ατή
I told Tony Blair to sack Gordon Brown, says John Prescott but the former prime minister was “scared” of his chancellor.
Stephen Byers damns Gordon Brown as 'distant and uncaring' - Times Online and manipulating the tax system for “tactical advantage”.
Cherie Blair says things about Gordon Brown that Tony Blair can't - Telegraph
The fact that you already have several holes in your head doesn't mean you want another one. Imagine being Gordon Brown this weekend. You are still reeling from disastrous local election results and the loss of London to Boris Johnson. You trail a record 26 points behind David Cameron in the polls. Rebellion surges through your party's ranks: in Westminster, over the abolition of the 10p tax rate; in Scotland, over the proposed referendum on independence.Senior Labour figures say that there will be trouble - meaning a leadership challenge - if the party does not make serious progress by its conference in September. And then - what do you know? - up pops the unmistakable grin of your Scouse nemesis. Yes, Gordon: Cherie Blair is publishing her memoirs.
I lament my lack of knowledge of Greek and Shakespearean tragedies because I am sure an educated man would be able to recognise this morality tale of hubris...
Hubris - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hubris (sometomes spelled hybris; Greek: ὕβρις) is a term meaning excessive pride, self-confidence or arrogance, often resulting in fatal retribution. In Ancient Greece, "hubris" referred to actions taken in order to shame and humiliate the victim, thereby making oneself seem superior. It was most evident when looking at those in charge and how they used hubris when making decisions in their justice system and personal lives. The word came about when describing people who considered themselves more important than the Greek gods themselves. Because of this origin, hubris was considered a crime in classical Athens. It was considered the greatest sin of the ancient Greek world. The act of hubris was considered so because it not only required self-confidence and pride, but it usually erupted into violent acts by or to those involved. The category of acts constituting hubris for the ancient Greeks apparently broadened from the original specific reference to molestation of a corpse, or a humiliation of a defeated foe, to molestation, or irreverent, "outrageous treatment", in general. The meaning was eventually further generalized in its modern English usage to apply to any outrageous act or exhibition of pride or disregard for basic moral laws. Such an act may be referred to as an "act of hubris", or the person committing the act may be said to be hubristic. Ate, Greek ατή for 'ruin, folly, delusion', is the action performed by the hero, usually because of his/her hubris, or great pride, that leads to his/her death or downfall.
