--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I should be soaring away with my head…" description: "\"I should be soaring away with my head tilted slightly toward the gods, feeding on the caviar of Shakespeare. An actor must act.\" — Laurence Olivier" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/laurence-olivier-11163_actor_i-should-be-soaring-away-with-my-head-ti_1166805.png" --- # I should be soaring away with my head tilted slightly… ![“I should be soaring away with my head tilted slightly toward the gods, feeding on the caviar of Shakespeare. An actor must act.” quote by Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/laurence-olivier-11163_actor_i-should-be-soaring-away-with-my-head-ti_1166805.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/laurence-olivier-11163_actor_i-should-be-soaring-away-with-my-head-ti_1166805.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aea/laurence-olivier-11163_actor_i-should-be-soaring-away-with-my-head-ti_1166805.png) > “I should be soaring away with my head tilted slightly toward the gods, feeding on the caviar of Shakespeare. An actor must act.” [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An actor should aspire to lofty artistic heights, feeding on the richness of classic literature. **In simple terms:** Acting requires lofty inspiration and classical influence. Key Takeaway Seek inspiration from great works. Themes art aspiration classics creativity Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophical artistic When to use this quote - theatre rehearsals - creative blocks - artistic education Key Concepts inspiration elevation craftsmanship Questions to Reflect On - How can you integrate classic influences daily? - What practical steps elevate your performance? A Different Perspective High ideals can feel unattainable without practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) [Actor Act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor-act-273224/) [Caviar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caviar/) [Caviar Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caviar-shakespeare-3364683/) [Feeding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeding/) [Gods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods/) [Head](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/head/) [Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare/) [Shakespeare Actor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare-actor-1365573/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Theatre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theatre/) ## Related quotes > [ \[on whether he harbored any resentment at his forced retirement from the stage after he was fired by Britain's National Theater\] I should be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/on-whether-he-harbored-any-resentment-at-his-forced-retirement-from/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [I didn't particularly aim to be a Shakespeare actor, but I suppose I had a certain gift or it; I certainly got offered lots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rylance/i-didn-t-particularly-aim-to-be-a-shakespeare-actor-but-i-suppose-i/) [Mark Rylance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rylance/) > [Sometimes you can do Shakespeare and you're still not an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clark-gregg/sometimes-you-can-do-shakespeare-and-you-re-still-not-an-actor/) [Clark Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clark-gregg/) > [I no longer believe that William Shakespeare the actor from Stratford was the author of the works that have been ascribed to him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/i-no-longer-believe-that-william-shakespeare-the-actor-from-stratford/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [If you're working in close-ups, then an actor is only able to act with his head. I like an actor to act with their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-levinson/if-you-re-working-in-close-ups-then-an-actor-is-only-able-to-act-with/) [Sam Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-levinson/) > [And there are lots of moments when I think, ‘What am I doing as an actor? I can’t act!’](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-james-collier/and-there-are-lots-of-moments-when-i-think-what-am-i-doing-as-an/) [Rob James-Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-james-collier/) > [If you're a plumber, you plumb. I'm an actor. I act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-west/if-you-re-a-plumber-you-plumb-i-m-an-actor-i-act/) [Adam West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-west/) > [Great actors are so easy to direct. It's like they're big 747s that you just have to move left and right, and I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-leterrier/great-actors-are-so-easy-to-direct-it-s-like-they-re-big-747s-that-2/) [Louis Leterrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-leterrier/) > [I never was able to do karate. That's calling me a good actor. I act like I can do anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-morita/i-never-was-able-to-do-karate-that-s-calling-me-a-good-actor-i-act/) [Pat Morita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-morita/) > [I can act with either eye, but you've got to be twice as good as an actor to act with one eye. You need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barratt/i-can-act-with-either-eye-but-you-ve-got-to-be-twice-as-good-as-an/) [Julian Barratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barratt/) > [Great actors are so easy to direct. It's like they're big 747s that you just have to move left and right, and I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-leterrier/great-actors-are-so-easy-to-direct-it-s-like-they-re-big-747s-that/) [Louis Leterrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-leterrier/) > [If you're working opposite an actor who can act, then all you have to do is listen and respond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaby-hoffmann/if-you-re-working-opposite-an-actor-who-can-act-then-all-you-have-to/) [Gaby Hoffmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaby-hoffmann/) > [As an actor, you act in order to make a living. Then, when you can make a living, you start acting because you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ty-simpkins/as-an-actor-you-act-in-order-to-make-a-living-then-when-you-can-make/) [Ty Simpkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ty-simpkins/) > [An actor has to act irrespective of the camera or location.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barun-sobti/an-actor-has-to-act-irrespective-of-the-camera-or-location/) [Barun Sobti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barun-sobti/) > [A fool cannot be an actor, though an actor may act a fool's part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-fool-cannot-be-an-actor-though-an-actor-may-act-a-fool-s-part/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) ## More by Laurence Olivier > [I often think that could we creep behind the actor's eyes, we would find an attic of forgotten toys and a copy of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/i-often-think-that-could-we-creep-behind-the-actor-s-eyes-we-would/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [Autograph-hunting is the most unattractive manifestation of sex-starved curiosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/autograph-hunting-is-the-most-unattractive-manifestation-of-sex/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [Acting is an everlasting search for truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/acting-is-an-everlasting-search-for-truth/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [I believe in the theater; I believe in it as the first glamorizer of thought. It restores dramatic dynamics and their relations to life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/i-believe-in-the-theater-i-believe-in-it-as-the-first-glamorizer-of/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [I suppose, unconsciously, I used all my wives to further my journey up the ladder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/i-suppose-unconsciously-i-used-all-my-wives-to-further-my-journey-up/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [ “\[in 1979\] You must have - besides intuition and sensitivity - a cutting edge that allows you to reach what you need. Also, you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/in-1979-you-must-have-besides-intuition-and-sensitivity-a-cutting/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [Acting, is not a profession for adults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/acting-is-not-a-profession-for-adults/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [Life is enthusiasm, zest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/life-is-enthusiasm-zest/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [If I wasn't an actor, I think I'd have gone mad. You have to have extra voltage, some extra temperament to reach certain heights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/if-i-wasn-t-an-actor-i-think-i-d-have-gone-mad-you-have-to-have-extra/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [ \[on whether he harbored any resentment at his forced retirement from the stage after he was fired by Britain's National Theater\] I should be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/on-whether-he-harbored-any-resentment-at-his-forced-retirement-from/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [I have to act to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/i-have-to-act-to-live/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [If he was lost for a moment, he would dive straight back into its honey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/if-he-was-lost-for-a-moment-he-would-dive-straight-back-into-its-honey/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [If you're an artist, you've got to prove it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/if-you-re-an-artist-you-ve-got-to-prove-it/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [Lead the audience by the nose to the thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/lead-the-audience-by-the-nose-to-the-thought/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [A sexual athlete is not likely to find sufficient energy for work of another athletic kind, and the acting of great parts most definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/a-sexual-athlete-is-not-likely-to-find-sufficient-energy-for-work-of/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) [Explore all 61 Laurence Olivier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) ## More Actor quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [There has got to be a way for me to have a role on TV or in film that is just as normal as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adeel-akhtar/there-has-got-to-be-a-way-for-me-to-have-a-role-on-tv-or-in-film-that/) [Adeel Akhtar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adeel-akhtar/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [When I was 13, I auditioned for the theater school, and I was there for four years. In the meantime, I did my first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-de-armas/when-i-was-13-i-auditioned-for-the-theater-school-and-i-was-there-for/) [Ana de Armas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-de-armas/) > [If you stood me in a costume next to a computer graphic of the same-looking character, I think there would be a difference. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warwick-davis/if-you-stood-me-in-a-costume-next-to-a-computer-graphic-of-the-same/) [Warwick Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warwick-davis/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [I'm a character actor - always have been, always will be - and historically, character actors don't come into their own until later in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-potts/i-m-a-character-actor-always-have-been-always-will-be-and/) [Annie Potts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-potts/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! 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I was typecast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divine/i-never-planned-to-do-female-roles-it-just-happened-i-was-typecast/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divine/) > [Once I committed to acting, this has been it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-hudson/once-i-committed-to-acting-this-has-been-it/) [Ernie Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-hudson/) [Browse all 21,590 Actor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I should be soaring away with my head tilted slightly toward the gods, feeding on the caviar of Shakespeare. 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