Cover of Tyrant

Book · 2019 · Shakespeare, william, 1564-1616, criticism and interpretation

Tyrant

Shakespeare on Politics

by Stephen Greenblatt · Brought up by 3 people on 1 podcast

episodes
2
podcast
1
people
3
episode recommends it
1

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So so let's talk uh because you mentioned Shakespeare green blot wrote this amazing book uh called will in the world that's incredible also and he has a book called Tyrant which I loved but but I was thinking you know a common theme between this movie and then of course apocalypse now but is also the theme of Shakespeare.
Ryan Holiday · The Daily Stoic · Sep 2024 Listen at 24:22

Questions about Tyrant by Stephen Greenblatt

Who recommends Tyrant by Stephen Greenblatt on podcasts?

Francis Ford Coppola (1 episode) and Ryan Holiday (1 episode) have recommended Tyrant by Stephen Greenblatt on podcasts. In all, 3 people brought it up across 1 podcast (2 people recommended it).

Which podcasts mention Tyrant the most?

The Daily Stoic (2 episodes).

Is Tyrant recommended, or only discussed?

Tyrant by Stephen Greenblatt was recommended in 1 episode and discussed without a recommendation in 1 episode, as of 2026-10-27.

What do people say about Tyrant?

Ryan Holiday on The Daily Stoic (2024-09-14): "So so let's talk uh because you mentioned Shakespeare green blot wrote this amazing book uh called will in the world that's incredible also and he has a book called Tyrant which I loved but but I was thinking you know a common theme between this movie and then of course apocalypse now but is also the theme of Shakespeare."

When was Tyrant last mentioned on a podcast?

Tyrant by Stephen Greenblatt was last discussed on The Daily Stoic by Stephen Pressfield on 2026-10-27.

The best things said about it

2 of 4 · every mention
Recommended
He has a book called "Tyrant" as well, which I loved, but I was thinking there's a common theme between this movie and Apocalypse Now, as well as the theme of Shakespeare: the ability to find old stories and place them in a new context while preserving the arcs, characters, and morals.
Francis Ford Coppola The Daily Stoic · Sep 2024
Discussed
There's a book in the books here. I'll give you, um, Stephen Greenblatt, um, who's this amazing Shakespearean scholar. He wrote this book called Tyrants. It's similar to Snyder's book, but it's, it's a look at Shakespeare's political plays.
Stephen Pressfield The Daily Stoic · Oct 2026

Why people recommend it

Tyrant by Stephen Greenblatt is a non-fiction book that examines Shakespearean political plays and explores the recurring character archetypes and themes of tyranny found throughout the works of William Shakespeare. The book received discussion on The Daily Stoic across multiple episodes. Francis Ford Coppola appeared on the podcast in September 2024 and stated that he loved the book, using it as a bridge to discuss the shared thematic elements between his own cinematic work, such as Apocalypse Now, and classic Shakespearean drama, specifically noting the capacity to adapt ancient narratives into modern settings while retaining their core moral arcs and character structures. Ryan Holiday also referenced the work during that same episode while discussing Shakespeare with Coppola, echoing his affection for the text and its exploration of storytelling motifs. Additionally, Stephen Pressfield appeared on The Daily Stoic in October 2026 and brought up Greenblatt as an exceptional Shakespearean scholar, highlighting this specific publication as a profound examination of political dynamics through the lens of Shakespeare's dramatic output. The speakers collectively pointed to the book as a vital exploration of power, politics, and the timeless nature of theatrical tragedy.

Every mention

4 quotes from 2 episodes
Francis Ford Coppola He has a book called "Tyrant" as well, which I loved, but I was thinking there's a common theme between thi… 1
Recommended
“He has a book called "Tyrant" as well, which I loved, but I was thinking there's a common theme between this movie and Apocalypse Now, as well as the theme of Shakespeare: the ability to find old stories and place them in a new context while preserving the arcs, characters, and morals.”
Ryan Holiday so so let's talk uh because you mentioned Shakespeare green blot wrote this amazing book uh called will in… 1
Recommended
“so so let's talk uh because you mentioned Shakespeare green blot wrote this amazing book uh called will in the world that's incredible also and he has a book called Tyrant which I loved but but I was thinking you know a common theme between this movie and then of course apocalypse now but is also the theme of Shakespeare”
Discussed
“and he has a book called Tyrant which I loved but but I was thinking you know a common theme between this movie and then of course apocalypse now but is also the theme of Shakespeare”
Stephen Pressfield There's a book in the books here. I'll give you, um, Stephen Greenblatt, um, who's this amazing Shakespeare… 1
Discussed
“There's a book in the books here. I'll give you, um, Stephen Greenblatt, um, who's this amazing Shakespearean scholar. He wrote this book called Tyrants. It's similar to Snyder's book, but it's, it's a look at Shakespeare's political plays.”

Portraits from Wikimedia Commons: Ryan Holiday, Luiz Berengue / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).