There is a disease to which plays as well as men become…
“There is a disease to which plays as well as men become liable with advancing years. In men it is called doting, in plays dating.The more topical the play the more it dates.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Shaw humorously notes that plays, like people, age; the more topical a play is, the quicker it becomes dated.
In simple terms: Older plays become outdated as their topics lose relevance.
Key Takeaway
Beware of letting current trends dictate lasting value.
Themes
art
culture
time
relevance
humor
Mood
wry
observational
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- theatre production
- scriptwriting
- literary criticism
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
Aging
cultural relevance
timelessness
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a work timeless despite changing contexts?
- How can creators balance immediacy with longevity?
A Different Perspective
Relying on contemporary relevance may limit a work's enduring impact.