Book Quote by John Mortimer
“There's more of yourself in a book than a play. that's why we know all about Dickens and not much about Shakespeare. Ben Jonson murdered people; Marlowe was a spy; Shakespeare just sat in the corner and took notes.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: John Mortimer on literature, 1990
The quote suggests that books reveal more of an author's inner self than plays, implying deeper insight into personal thoughts through written narrative.
In simple terms: Books expose personal depth more than plays.
Key Takeaway
Read novels to understand authors better.
Themes
literature
author insight
media comparison
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
observational
When to use this quote
- reading novels
- teaching literature
- author studies
- media criticism
Key Concepts
psychology
literary analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- Does medium affect the depth of personal expression?
- How do audiences perceive authors through different formats?
A Different Perspective
Plays also convey profound ideas through performance, not just books.
![“Take sex, for instance.' 'What do you want me to do with it?' 'Try to be serious for a moment. Take the sex life of our father.' [...] Even after a couple of brandies he felt extremely reluctant to discuss sex and his father. 'It's something I'd rather not think about,' he said. 'We all come into…” quote by John Mortimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/280/john-mortimer-7362_conception_take-sex-for-instance-what-do-you-want-m_4946.jpg)
