Attention Quote by Joseph Addison
“An opera may be allowed to be extravagantly lavish in its decorations, as its only design is to gratify the senses and keep up an indolent attention in the audience.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Spectator, 1711
The quote suggests that opera's purpose is to indulge the audience's senses, offering lavish spectacle to maintain their relaxed attention.
In simple terms: Opera is meant to please senses with lavish spectacle.
Key Takeaway
Enjoy sensory indulgence without expecting depth.
Themes
art
sensory pleasure
entertainment
spectacle
attention
Mood
indulgent
reflective
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- theatre production
- event planning
- marketing luxury experiences
- design of immersive installations
Key Concepts
aestheticism
hedonism
cultural critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What balance should be struck between spectacle and substance?
- How does indulgent design affect audience perception?
A Different Perspective
May neglect intellectual or emotional engagement for mere sensory overload.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
