THE UNDERDOG

The engaging Teddy Hall team

Two days ago, I watched the Final of University Challenge and, in a cliff-hanging contest, my old college, St Edmund Hall, was just pipped by a fine team from Edinburgh University. I had watched all the earlier rounds and marvelled at the range of knowledge demonstrated, not least by the omniscient Freddy Leo. But Edinburgh were just that bit sharper on the day – and at least they represent a Scottish university! I do think it reasonable to point out (but no excuses implied) that the undergraduate body at Teddy Hall numbers 405 while that of Edinburgh tops 23,000, so a win by the Hall would have been giant-killing of a high order.

We all enjoy a frisson of inspiration when the underdog wins through against impossible odds. It was so in 480 BC when Leonidas and his band of 300 Spartans defended to the last the pass at Thermopylae against the vast horde of Xerxes’ Persians and the Bible tells us of the heroism of young David killing the Philistine giant Goliath with a single sling-shot.

Thermopylae

David slays Goliath ( by Caraveggio)

 

                               

As a callow schoolboy I recall the pleasure we got when we were read Macaulay’s poem celebrating the epic defence of the bridge over the Tiber by the Roman soldier Horatius against the army of Lars Porsena of Clusium, King of the Etruscans. Who can forget the famous lines?

Then out spoke brave Horatius, the Captain of the Gate:
"To every man upon this earth, death cometh soon or late;
And how can man die better than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers, and the temples of his Gods.    

Horatius, with two others, prevents the bridge being captured, falls into the raging river but survives so that “even the ranks of Tuscany could scarce forbear to cheer”

Horatius holds the Bridge

                       

                                               

As a general rule, however, it is usually a bad idea to back the underdog. Favourites win races – just ask your bookie. My beloved Scotland wasted much emotional and political capital supporting the Stuarts, a dynasty unwilling to adapt to the modern world of its day, and the damage done by Bonnie Prince Charlie and his circle was grievous. Visit the sad site of Culloden, near Inverness and view the forlorn cairns, marking the mass graves of Clans like the Donalds, the Frasers, the Chattans and the memorials to brave but misguided Clans such as MacLean, MacIntosh, MacLachlan and MacGillivray. A whole feudal civilisation was wiped out by the folly of its leaders.

A Cairn to underdogs at Culloden

A more sinister result of proclaiming yourself an underdog is that it can give ammunition to those who seek to exploit feelings of resentment against the more successful in society. In Scotland the SNP has made a living from blaming others, especially the English, for all national woes – in reality the Union delivers an excellent deal to Scots. But the idea of “victimhood” simmers below the surface and is corrosive to the free-thinking spirit. Hitler deployed this tactic when he depicted himself as Ein arme Meldeganger (a poor despatch runner) which played well in post-Great War Germany.

In some countries we have already seen the triumph of the underdog. In Italy comedian Beppe Grillo led his Five-Star movement to the brink of power in the 2013 elections and it still governs in coalition. He is trying to step back to a world he knows. In the Ukraine unpronouncable TV comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has just thrashed the incumbent and becomes President on 3 June. He looks rather non-plussed by the challenges he faces. Of course another comedian, Donald Trump, has held the reins of power in America since 2017, a complete stranger to high office. His brash ignorance sends shudders down the backs of the more thoughtful, but he will probably win a second term. As the poet observed; “When ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise”.

Beppe Grillo

Volodymyr Zelenskiy

Yesterday was St George’s Day, with Britain certainly beset by enemies within and without. We call on England’s patron saint to come to our aid, to slay the dragons and liberate the underdogs among us with immediate effect.

SMD

24.04.19

Text Copyright Sidney Donald 2019