Borrowed Quote by Horace Walpole
“How well Shakespeare knew how to improve and exalt little circumstances, when he borrowed them from circumstantial or vulgar historians.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Castle of Otranto” commentary, 1760
Shakespeare masterfully elevated modest events by reshaping them from ordinary histories.
In simple terms: He turned small stories into great art.
Study how context transforms narratives.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- literary analysis
- teaching
- creative projects
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a humble story compelling?
- How does adaptation affect meaning?
May overlook the original source’s value.