Alone Quote by Howard Jacobson
“Shakespeare's always been sitting on my back, since I began reading. And, certainly, as a writer, he's who I hear all the time. And he's almost indistinguishable now from the English language. I have no sense of what Shakespeare is like. I have no sense of the personality that is Shakespeare. I think, alone among writers, I don't know who he is.”
About This Quote
The quote reflects how pervasive Shakespeare's influence is on the writer, to the point where his voice feels indistinguishable from the language itself, making the original author seem abstract and unknown.
In simple terms: Shakespeare's influence is so deep it feels like part of the language, obscuring his personal identity.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the distinction between influence and the original creator.
Themes
literature
influence
identity
language
authorial voice
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
analytical
introspective
When to use this quote
- writing education
- creative writing workshops
- literary analysis
- personal artistic development
Key Concepts
intertextuality
cultural canon
voice formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does pervasive influence affect your own voice?
- Can you separate the language from its origin?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overstate the loss of personal connection, as scholars can still study Shakespeare's life and works.
![“Shakespeare, who never could think up a plot by himself, found this one [Macbeth] in Holinshed's Chronicles, changing it just enough so that no one would recognize the source. He didn't count on the resourcefulness of modern scholars, who have to discover things like this to become associate…” quote by Richard Armour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/130/richard-armour-14098_associates_shakespeare-who-never-could-think-up-a-p_2382155.jpg)
