--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When Shakespeare copied chroniclers…" description: "\"When Shakespeare copied chroniclers verbatim, it was because he knew they were good enough for his audiences. In a more polished age he who could so mo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30f/horace-walpole-3357_age_when-shakespeare-copied-chroniclers-verb_2186990.jpg" --- # When Shakespeare copied chroniclers verbatim, it was… ![“When Shakespeare copied chroniclers verbatim, it was because he knew they were good enough for his audiences. In a more polished age he who could so move our passions, could surely have performed the easier task of satisfying our taste.” quote by Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30f/horace-walpole-3357_age_when-shakespeare-copied-chroniclers-verb_2186990.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30f/horace-walpole-3357_age_when-shakespeare-copied-chroniclers-verb_2186990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/30f/horace-walpole-3357_age_when-shakespeare-copied-chroniclers-verb_2186990.jpg) > “When Shakespeare copied chroniclers verbatim, it was because he knew they were good enough for his audiences. In a more polished age he who could so move our passions, could surely have performed the easier task of satisfying our taste.” [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Shakespeare used existing histories because they already resonated with audiences; he trusted their quality over creating new narratives. **In simple terms:** Shakespeare copied because the stories were already good. Key Takeaway Trust proven material when it fits your purpose. Themes literature adaptation audience trust Mood reflective analytical Type critical historical When to use this quote - playwriting - historical drama - teaching literature - scriptwriting Key Concepts intertextuality cultural resonance creative economy Questions to Reflect On - How does using familiar sources affect audience engagement? - When is originality more valuable than familiarity? A Different Perspective Relying on existing works may limit originality and innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Chroniclers Verbatim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chroniclers-verbatim-4748660/) [Copied Chroniclers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/copied-chroniclers-4748661/) [Easier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easier/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Good Audiences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-audiences-2673736/) [Good enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-enough/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Passion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passion/) [Polished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polished/) [Satisfying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfying/) [Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare/) [Shakespeare Copied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare-copied-4748659/) [Tasks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tasks/) [Taste](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taste/) [Verbatim Knew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/verbatim-knew-4748662/) ## Related quotes > [Midwesterners make good audiences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-bream/midwesterners-make-good-audiences/) [Julian Bream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-bream/) > [Always really good audiences in Belgium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-johannsson/always-really-good-audiences-in-belgium/) [Johann Johannsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-johannsson/) > [ \[Corneille\] was inspired by Roman authors and Roman spirit, Racine with delicacy by the polished court of Louis XIV. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/corneille-was-inspired-by-roman-authors-and-roman-spirit-racine-with/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [What did not demolish me simply polished me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/india-arie-2/what-did-not-demolish-me-simply-polished-me/) [India.Arie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/india-arie-2/) > [The second episode of any new show can be tough. 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We are all reptiles, miserable, sinful creatures. 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