--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know that might sound perverse because…" description: "\"I know that might sound perverse because I played Julian Assange but, honestly, I don't think it would be fair for me to judge the man. I realize that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/778/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_assange_i-know-that-might-sound-perverse-because_53542.jpg" --- # I know that might sound perverse because I played Julian… ![“I know that might sound perverse because I played Julian Assange but, honestly, I don't think it would be fair for me to judge the man. I realize that makes me a bit of a hypocrite because I was portraying him a certain way, but we were always open to the fact that this was an interpretation, not…” quote by Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/778/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_assange_i-know-that-might-sound-perverse-because_53542.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/778/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_assange_i-know-that-might-sound-perverse-because_53542.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/778/benedict-cumberbatch-1156_assange_i-know-that-might-sound-perverse-because_53542.jpg) > “I know that might sound perverse because I played Julian Assange but, honestly, I don't think it would be fair for me to judge the man. I realize that makes me a bit of a hypocrite because I was portraying him a certain way, but we were always open to the fact that this was an interpretation, not any kind of exact evidence of who the man was.” [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker acknowledges the conflict between portraying a public figure in a dramatized way and the responsibility to judge that person fairly, highlighting the tension between artistic interpretation and factual judgment. **In simple terms:** Balancing artistic portrayal with ethical judgment. Key Takeaway Interpretation ≠ factual truth. Themes ethics media representation public perception artistic license responsibility Mood reflective thoughtful candid Type personal anecdote ethical reflection media commentary When to use this quote - acting in a biopic - journalistic profiling - public speaking about controversial figures - media criticism - personal reflection Key Concepts interpretation judgment hypocrisy fairness Practical Applications - critical analysis of biographical works - ethical guidelines for portraying real people Questions to Reflect On - How does artistic license affect public opinion? - When is it appropriate to separate performance from personal judgment? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assange/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Hypocrite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrite/) [Interpretation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interpretation/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [I genuinely don't know Julian Assange well. To authenticate an opinion, I really would have to meet him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-genuinely-don-t-know-julian-assange-well-to-authenticate-an-opinion/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ There's a huge amount of footage of Julian \[ Assange\] online, but he's usually in presentation or defending mode, talking about his cause, or… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/there-s-a-huge-amount-of-footage-of-julian-assange-online-but-he-s/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ I know he \[Julian Assange\] is a man of fierce determination, and now living under the strain of house arrest in the Ecuadorean embassy… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-know-he-julian-assange-is-a-man-of-fierce-determination-and-now/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [My assessment of Julian Assange is a professional one, really, of what he's managed to achieve, and the idea that he came up with,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/my-assessment-of-julian-assange-is-a-professional-one-really-of-what/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ I understand from those who adore him, he \[Julian Assange\] has a great sense of humor which rarely gets an airing because he's dealing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-understand-from-those-who-adore-him-he-julian-assange-has-a-great/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ I'd love to meet Julian \[Assange\], and time permitting, and his will permitting, I'm sure it will happen at some point. Even though he's… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-d-love-to-meet-julian-assange-and-time-permitting-and-his-will/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ I had to imagine myself into certain aspects of \[Julian Assange\] character for our version of events. That involved extrapolating based on clues in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-had-to-imagine-myself-into-certain-aspects-of-julian-assange/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Personally, I think Julian Assange is a hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/personally-i-think-julian-assange-is-a-hero/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) > [Snowden is the thoughtful, courageous saint of liberal reform. And Julian Assange is a sort of radical, feral prophet who has been prowling this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/snowden-is-the-thoughtful-courageous-saint-of-liberal-reform-and/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [I feel that Julian Assange came to be both paranoid and self-regarding in ways that ultimately undermined his own mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-gibney/i-feel-that-julian-assange-came-to-be-both-paranoid-and-self-2/) [Alex Gibney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-gibney/) > [EVERY attack now made on WikiLeaks and Julian Assange was made against me and the release of the Pentagon Papers at the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ellsberg/every-attack-now-made-on-wikileaks-and-julian-assange-was-made/) [Daniel Ellsberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ellsberg/) > [I never made any reference to John Podesta's email.Does it say #WikiLeaks, #Assange? Julian Assange said, Stone predicted that his emails would be hacked.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-stone/i-never-made-any-reference-to-john-podesta-s-email-does-it-say/) [Roger Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-stone/) > [I guess I could be singing about Superman, or about Zarathustra coming down from the mountain, but in my mind I was singing about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-wareham/i-guess-i-could-be-singing-about-superman-or-about-zarathustra-coming/) [Dean Wareham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-wareham/) > [The fact is that when it comes to judgment as to what should be secret and what should not be secret, Julian Assange's judgment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ellsberg/the-fact-is-that-when-it-comes-to-judgment-as-to-what-should-be/) [Daniel Ellsberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ellsberg/) > [Those of us who believe in human rights and the truth - particularly the journalists and the media - should stand in defense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mairead-corrigan/those-of-us-who-believe-in-human-rights-and-the-truth-particularly/) [Mairead Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mairead-corrigan/) ## More by Benedict Cumberbatch > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [It's the same thing, I think, whether it's breathing or meditation or yoga. And running is a great way of doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/it-s-the-same-thing-i-think-whether-it-s-breathing-or-meditation-or/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Being someone who is of our sensual reality, Stephen Strange has a lifestyle, he has a sexuality, he's materialistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/being-someone-who-is-of-our-sensual-reality-stephen-strange-has-a/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [If you have an over-preoccupation with perception and trying to please people's expectations, then you can go mad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/if-you-have-an-over-preoccupation-with-perception-and-trying-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Being on set is quite difficult, because it's so big and you've got to try and relax, which isn't easy when you know you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/being-on-set-is-quite-difficult-because-it-s-so-big-and-you-ve-got-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Maybe it's just getting older, but I don't want to miss things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/maybe-it-s-just-getting-older-but-i-don-t-want-to-miss-things/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think playing any iconic role when you're stepping into big shoes, into the shadow of people who have come before you and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-playing-any-iconic-role-when-you-re-stepping-into-big-shoes/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ \[While voicing cartoons\] you have to lose your sanity and inhibitions and any kind of dignity and just throw yourself around a bit. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/while-voicing-cartoons-you-have-to-lose-your-sanity-and-inhibitions/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I'm not very geeky. I'm quite homespun. I would say I'm more modern rustic than gadget-orientated. I like woollen things and log fires and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-m-not-very-geeky-i-m-quite-homespun-i-would-say-i-m-more-modern/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [This is an odd profession, and sometimes people get jealous, but I haven't really experienced any of that. Everyone's been really happy for me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/this-is-an-odd-profession-and-sometimes-people-get-jealous-but-i/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-can-feel-infinitely-alive-curled-up-on-the-sofa-reading-a-book/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think with any characterization there's a point where you empathize, no matter how much of a deviance his or her actions may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-think-with-any-characterization-there-s-a-point-where-you-empathize/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [When are you ever settled enough to have kids?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/when-are-you-ever-settled-enough-to-have-kids/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [You have to sometimes just run with the problem rather than trying to solve it with hi-tech wizardry and lots of planning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/you-have-to-sometimes-just-run-with-the-problem-rather-than-trying-to/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I have memories of clouds whisking by while sitting in the pushchair on the roof of my parents' flat. I loved it! I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-have-memories-of-clouds-whisking-by-while-sitting-in-the-pushchair/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) [Explore all 281 Benedict Cumberbatch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) ## More Assange quotes > [Those of us who believe in human rights and the truth - particularly the journalists and the media - should stand in defense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mairead-corrigan/those-of-us-who-believe-in-human-rights-and-the-truth-particularly/) [Mairead Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mairead-corrigan/) > [ I'd love to meet Julian \[Assange\], and time permitting, and his will permitting, I'm sure it will happen at some point. Even though he's… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-d-love-to-meet-julian-assange-and-time-permitting-and-his-will/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ I had to imagine myself into certain aspects of \[Julian Assange\] character for our version of events. That involved extrapolating based on clues in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-had-to-imagine-myself-into-certain-aspects-of-julian-assange/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Assange is not a 'journalist' any more than the 'editor' of al-Qaeda's new English-language magazine 'Inspire' is a 'journalist.' He is an anti-American operative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-palin/assange-is-not-a-journalist-any-more-than-the-editor-of-al-qaeda-s/) [Sarah Palin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-palin/) > [I guess I could be singing about Superman, or about Zarathustra coming down from the mountain, but in my mind I was singing about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-wareham/i-guess-i-could-be-singing-about-superman-or-about-zarathustra-coming/) [Dean Wareham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-wareham/) > [EVERY attack now made on WikiLeaks and Julian Assange was made against me and the release of the Pentagon Papers at the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ellsberg/every-attack-now-made-on-wikileaks-and-julian-assange-was-made/) [Daniel Ellsberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ellsberg/) > [ I understand from those who adore him, he \[Julian Assange\] has a great sense of humor which rarely gets an airing because he's dealing… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-understand-from-those-who-adore-him-he-julian-assange-has-a-great/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [The fact is that when it comes to judgment as to what should be secret and what should not be secret, Julian Assange's judgment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-ellsberg/the-fact-is-that-when-it-comes-to-judgment-as-to-what-should-be/) [Daniel Ellsberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-ellsberg/) > [My assessment of Julian Assange is a professional one, really, of what he's managed to achieve, and the idea that he came up with,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/my-assessment-of-julian-assange-is-a-professional-one-really-of-what/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I never made any reference to John Podesta's email.Does it say #WikiLeaks, #Assange? Julian Assange said, Stone predicted that his emails would be hacked.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-stone/i-never-made-any-reference-to-john-podesta-s-email-does-it-say/) [Roger Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-stone/) > [ I know he \[Julian Assange\] is a man of fierce determination, and now living under the strain of house arrest in the Ecuadorean embassy… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/i-know-he-julian-assange-is-a-man-of-fierce-determination-and-now/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [ There's a huge amount of footage of Julian \[ Assange\] online, but he's usually in presentation or defending mode, talking about his cause, or… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/there-s-a-huge-amount-of-footage-of-julian-assange-online-but-he-s/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [I think Assange has been very courageous. I've also defended Bradley Manning. I think they've been tremendously courageous in telling the truth, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mairead-corrigan/i-think-assange-has-been-very-courageous-i-ve-also-defended-bradley/) [Mairead Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mairead-corrigan/) > [I feel that Julian Assange came to be both paranoid and self-regarding in ways that ultimately undermined his own mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-gibney/i-feel-that-julian-assange-came-to-be-both-paranoid-and-self-2/) [Alex Gibney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-gibney/) > [Snowden is the thoughtful, courageous saint of liberal reform. And Julian Assange is a sort of radical, feral prophet who has been prowling this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/snowden-is-the-thoughtful-courageous-saint-of-liberal-reform-and/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) [Browse all 25 Assange quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assange/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I know that might sound perverse because I played Julian Assange but, honestly, I don't think it would be fair for me to judge the man. 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