Shakespeare, who was considered the English Corneille…
“Shakespeare, who was considered the English Corneille, flourished at about the time of Lope de Vega. He had a strong and fertile genius, full of naturalness andsublimity, without the slightest spark of good taste or the least knowledge of the rules… After two hundred years most of the outlandish and monstrous ideas of this author have acquired the right to be considered sublime, and almost all modern authors have copied him… It does not occur to people that they should not copy him, and the lack of success of their copies simply makes people think that he is inimitable.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Shakespeare’s daring, rule‑breaking imagination was once mocked but later revered, showing that originality often becomes the benchmark for future creators.
In simple terms: Shakespeare’s odd ideas became the standard.
Key Takeaway
Radical originality reshapes taste over time.
Themes
literature
cultural evolution
creativity
Mood
reflective
admiring
Type
historical
critical
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
canon formation
taste reversal
Practical Applications
- encourage experimental writing
- re‑evaluate dismissed works
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do some radical works become classics?
- How does cultural context affect artistic acceptance?
A Different Perspective
Not all avant‑garde works achieve lasting influence; many remain marginal.