---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [Henry James'] essay's closing lines can…"
description: "\"“[Henry James'] essay's closing lines can either be read neutrally or as a more purposeful wish that this mystery [of Shakespeare's authorship] will on..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/james-shapiro-62910_authorship_henry-james-essay-s-closing-lines-can-ei_2514746.jpg"
---

#  \[Henry James'\] essay's closing lines can either be read…

![“[Henry James'] essay's closing lines can either be read neutrally or as a more purposeful wish that this mystery [of Shakespeare's authorship] will one day be resolved by the 'criticism of the future': 'The figured tapestry, the long arras that hides him, is always there ... May it not then be but…” quote by James Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/james-shapiro-62910_authorship_henry-james-essay-s-closing-lines-can-ei_2514746.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/james-shapiro-62910_authorship_henry-james-essay-s-closing-lines-can-ei_2514746.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/087/james-shapiro-62910_authorship_henry-james-essay-s-closing-lines-can-ei_2514746.jpg)

> ““\[Henry James'\] essay's closing lines can either be read neutrally or as a more purposeful wish that this mystery \[of Shakespeare's authorship\] will one day be resolved by the 'criticism of the future': 'The figured tapestry, the long arras that hides him, is always there ... May it not then be but a question, for the fullness of time, of the finer weapon, the sharper point, the stronger arm, the more extended lunge?' Is Shakespeare hinting here that one day critics will hit upon another, more suitable candidate, identify the individual in whom the man and artist converge and are 'one'? If so, his choice of metaphor - recalling Hamlet's lunge at the arras in the closet scene - is fortunate. Could James have forgotten that the sharp point of Hamlet's weapon finds the wrong man?””

[James Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-shapiro/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage suggests that future criticism may finally solve Shakespeare's authorship mystery, using a metaphor of a tapestry and a weapon to imply a decisive breakthrough.

**In simple terms:** Future critics might resolve the Shakespeare authorship question.

Key Takeaway

Consider how new perspectives can unravel long‑standing debates.

Themes

literature authorship criticism metaphor

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

analytical scholarly

When to use this quote

- academic research
- literary criticism
- historical investigation

Key Concepts

Shakespearean scholarship historical mystery interpretive analysis

Questions to Reflect On

- What evidence would be needed to settle the authorship debate?
- How do metaphors shape our understanding of literary mysteries?

A Different Perspective

Resolution may remain elusive despite new theories.

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[Authorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authorship/) [Hamlet Weapon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hamlet-weapon-1190723/) [Henry james](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/henry-james/) [Lunge Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lunge-shakespeare-1190722/) [Mystery Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystery-shakespeare-1190724/) [Recalling Hamlet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recalling-hamlet-1190725/) [Shakespeare Hinting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare-hinting-1190721/) [Shakespeare-criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare-criticism-168530/) [Wrong man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong-man/)

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