Just thought I would mention this, but Shakespeare often makes references to the likeness of theatre (drama) and war and there are quite a lot of similarities between the two when you look deeper:
- each person in war has his own role to fulfil albeit footsoldier or lieutenant.
– there are times of rising action, climax, denouement etc which itself lends war to a narrative
– emotions are a key role (as in Shakespeare’s plays). Camaraderie, fear, bravado etc
– as mentioned, people higher up (ie playwright) gives orders to the actors to carry out.
– you can view war as a cross section of humanity in the same way as a play can. you can pick out attitudes, values, behaviours etc etc.
But yeah, Shakespeare did say that “the world is a stage” so you can say this about any area in life.
meh I wish I had quotes but a) I don’t have access to my complete works of shakespeare book as its at home and b) I don’t have the time :p.