Welcome back to the home of the oxymoron. Evil genius. He asked the newspaper to print his obituary early so he'd enjoy it. That's like hiding at your own funeral. Yeah, it's a big, great gig. I'm Russell Kane. Join me to weigh in on whether the biggest players in history are more evil or genius. Becoming that rich, I'd say that at some level of genius. It also helps that it's a long time ago, right?

It's like the podcast version of telling your kids the ice cream van plays music when it's out of ice cream.

Listen to evil genius on BBC Sounds.

Hello, and on tonight's program, the German pert and provocative essayist Hans Magnus Ernstberger.

We consider history paintings and review a new exhibition on the art of conflict or fighting history.

And we have a first night review of the Shakespearean soap opera of jealousy, sex and power.

My noble lord, what does that say, Yago?

Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, know of your love?

He did, from first to last, why does thou ask?

But for satisfaction of my thought, no further harm.

Why of thy thought, Yago?

I did not think he had been acquainted with her.

Oh, yes, and went between us very oft. Of thy thought, Yago? I did not think he had been acquainted with her.

Oh, yes, and went between us very oft.

Indeed.

Indeed. Aye, indeed, discerns thou aught, and that is he not honest?

Honest, my lord?

Honest, aye, honest.

If, my lord, for what I know.

What dost thou think?

Think, my lord. Think, my lord.

By heaven, he echoes me, as if there was some monster in his thought too hideous to be shown.

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