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About this quote

What does it mean?
Hamlet shows egotism from the inside, while Don Quixote shows it from an outsider's view.
In plain terms
Hamlet is egotism seen by oneself; Don Quixote is egotism seen by others.
What can you take from it?
Egotism looks different when viewed internally versus externally.

Where it applies

  • analyzing literature
  • discussing character perspective
  • examining psychology

Putting it to work

  • analyzing literary archetypes
  • comparing character perspectives

Questions to consider

  • How does perspective change perception?
  • What is the difference between Hamlet and Don Quixote?

Another view

It reduces complex characters to single traits.

More from Hugh Kingsmill

  1. Hamlet is every man's self-love with all its dreams realized. He wears all the crowns and carries every cross.

    Permalink to quote #12

  2. Ideas get substance and value not by being discussed but by being lived.

    Permalink to quote #14

  3. The public mind [is] a cloudy region where only the simplest shapes are discerned with any accuracy.

    Permalink to quote #11

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