Comparing Brexit Negotiations to the Labors of Hercules

Previously, the Irish Prime Minister described Britain’s negotiations of post-Brexit free trade agreements as a Herculean task, drawing a parallel to one of the labors of ancient Greek myth. But which of these tasks is the most appropriate comparison for the current situation? Let’s explore the similarities.

The Augean Stables and Brexit

Cleaning the Stalls of the King, as the Augean Stables, is a fitting analogy for Brexit negotiations. According to Greek mythology, the king Augeas had an enormous stable that only accumulated decaying manure, and the task was to clean it in a single day. The current negotiations involve clearing a similarly undesirable and festering situation—in this case, the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU.

The Irish Prime Minister’s description highlights the monumental challenge—similar to the sheer volume of manure in Augeas’s stables. Without a magic broom or a nearby Hercules to tackle the problem, resolving the situation is arduous and time-consuming. Like the stables, the scale and complexity of Brexit negotiations present a significant challenge to negotiators.

The Lernian Hydra and Legal Maneuvering

Killing the Lernian Hydra is another labor that parallels Brexit negotiations due to the necessity of innovative, non-traditional solutions. The Hydra, a mythical creature with multiple heads, would regrow two heads for every one cut off. Similarly, Brexit negotiations require something clever and not entirely legal. Just as Hercules cheated with the help of his nephew, the negotiators may need to use means that skirt the rules to achieve their goals.

The title of the 1918 sculpture by Danish sculptor Rudolf Tegner, “Hercules and the Hydra,” captures the essence of the labor. For Brexit, this could mean relying on loopholes, backdoor agreements, or other creative tactics to navigate the legal and political landscape.

The Cretan Bull and the Brexit Beast

The Cretan Bull serves as a more modern and vivid analogy for the chaos and destruction wreaked by Brexit. David Cameron, like King Minos of Crete, entered into a bargain with Poseidon to sacrifice the first creature that landed on the shore, which turned out to be a bull. Cameron promised the UK would leave the EU if the people voted for it, but the outcome was less predictable and more problematic.

Similarly, the Cretan bull symbolizes the unexpected and disruptive force of Brexit. Just as the bull rampaged, eating roses, charging at grannies, and causing chaos, Brexit has had a profound and often damaging impact on the UK. This metaphorical bullsEye” is best described as the concrete cows of Milton Keynes, a reference to the disrupted infrastructure and societal changes. Moreover, the divisive nature of the bull matches the blame games and political fallout of Brexit.

Theresa May, who initially supported Remain, found herself embroiled in a “bastard hybrid” deal—a mix of Brexit and Remain elements. This underscores the unpredictable and sometimes illogical nature of the Cretan bull. The current Prime Minister, akin to Hercules, must now wrestle this Brexit beast into submission, withstand the potential fatal goring, and bring order to the chaos.

Conclusion: While each labor of Hercules provides a unique perspective on the challenges of Brexit, the Cretan bull emerges as the most apropos metaphor. The chaos, disruption, and unexpected consequences of the bull resonate with the complex and far-reaching ramifications of Brexit negotiations.