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About this quote

What does it mean?
Welles suggests that audiences attend Shakespeare plays merely to identify famous quotes rather than experience the full work.
In plain terms
People go to Shakespeare just to find quotes.
What can you take from it?
Seek the full work, not just parts.

Where it applies

  • theater attendance
  • education
  • literary study

Putting it to work

  • read whole plays
  • avoid quote mining

Questions to consider

  • Do you read for context?

Another view

Quoting can be a valid entry point.

More from Orson Welles

  1. My doctor has advised me to give up those intimate little dinners for four. Unless there are three people eating with me.

    Permalink to quote #22
  2. Tell Turner to keep his goddamned Crayolas away from my film!

    Permalink to quote #24
  3. Man is a rational animal who always loses his temper when called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason.

    Permalink to quote #21

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