Visual Diary: Yeats, Cleaver Greene, Australia and ‘The Rake’
In a constant pursuit to find silver linings, especially during these turbulent times, I found perhaps one of the best shows I’ve ever watched, the Rake.
In the ‘Rake’, which primarily takes place in Sydney, Australia, one gets a very interesting glimpse into Australia, and how presumably Australians view themselves.
This glimpse is viewed through the lens of a criminal ‘barrister’, or a criminal defense lawyer as we call it in the states, named Cleaver Greene, played by Richard Roxburgh, who, despite his many vices, is about as endearing as one can be. Mainly because in some way or the other, he represents a piece of all of us. Making the show that much more captivating, and hilarious.
It is presented as a comedy, but the references, language, and script are impeccable. This is partially due to Cleaver’s constant rehearsal of the many great writers and philosophers of years past.
Shakespeare, Yeats, and Byron to name a few.
Cleaver Greene:
Cleaver reciting Byron’s “She walks in beauty like the night” Bugger me, he was good.”
Fuzz Greene: (Cleavers Son)
“Yeah, but what use is it?”
Cleaver Greene:
“What do you mean ‘What use is it’? It’s poetry, you knucklehead. It has only one use, and that’s pulling chicks.”
Behind the womanizing, happy-go-lucky demeanor that Cleaver presents to the outside world, there is a deep and genuine sense of right and wrong within the man.
We make such a fuss about Gandhi and Churchill, and their words. And for good reason, but Cleaver represents real-life qualities that go a long way and are often unappreciated at the time. It is only until after someone like this is no longer with us do we miss and admire the ability to live in the moment, despite the madness swirling around.
People go to ashrams in India, go to the Himalayas, try Buddhism, yoga, meditation just to try and be in the moment. Cleaver lives each day like it’s his last.
I’ve lately been caught, as an American, calling my friends “mate”, because that’s just how much I watch the show. In a time when days seem to blend together because of the lack of structure that not going to the office brings about, “The Rack” has been a reprieve and an elixir. A cure. A source of fuel to occasionally push me through the day. A reminder to keep a smile on my face despite the many curveballs life may throw at me.
Cleaver is never vengeful and leads a relatively simple life. He is spontaneous and therefore falls into situations that are often facetious. Not unlike my other favorite characters from movies and television, from Archer to McQueen to Don Draper.
Therefore, Cleaver is always in love. Anyone that he has had the opportunity of befriending, he will always be by their side. A quality many of us lack. If an ex-girlfriend of his needs his help, he is there and he does not hold umbrage against the young lady for the mistakes she might have made. “I love too much, and it seems today as if that is a sin”. — Richard Roxburgh, as ‘Eager Beaver Cleaver.’
As I was watching the Rake, I would rewind and rewind just jot down some of the quotes that Cleaver would recite during times of celebration and times of self-reflection.
It prompted me to open up some of those books that he was citing, and I’m better and wiser for it. How can one show do that? Well, there must be something about Cleaver Greene and his lifestyle that resonates and sticks with me.
That is reason enough to give the show a chance. It’s on Netflix for now.
One of my favorites is when he quoted Yeats at his own surprise birthday party. He was speaking to the crowd, but really he was looking at his ex-wife. He has never forgiven himself for buggering that marriage up.
I can relate to that very well. I buggered up an engagement for a lot of the same reasons.
The Yeats quote reads:
“How many loved your moments of sad grace?
And loved your beauty with love, false or true?
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you.
And loved the sorrows of your changing face.”
I’m not a movie or a television critic so pardon the lack of my acute discernibility, but I will say, in my humble opinion, this show is truly poetry in motion. Like Michael Jordan playing basketball.
And I’m trying to figure out how to categorize it. It’s far too smart to just label it a comedy. It’s far too shallow and satirical to label it as a drama. Perhaps a little bit of both. And perhaps you can help me because more people need to watch this show.
There were so many things I didn’t understand about Australia which I now get, and I at least have an inkling into just how similar our country is to the great ‘Outback’.
The United States and Australia, just two young democracies, with a native community. The only big difference might be slavery in the States and the fact that Australia is a touch more British than the U.S. They are a nation that is proud to be a part of the commonwealth and was a huge player in the theatre of war in the Pacific during WW2, and frankly, anytime they were called upon by Great Britain.
Give the show a chance and thank me later!
Yours Truly,
Roh
