--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you're a young man, Macbeth is a…" description: "\"When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older, it's a straight part.\" — Laurence Olivier" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/405/laurence-olivier-11163_character_when-you-re-a-young-man-macbeth-is-a-cha_2059228.png" --- # When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When… ![“When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older, it's a straight part.” quote by Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/405/laurence-olivier-11163_character_when-you-re-a-young-man-macbeth-is-a-cha_2059228.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/405/laurence-olivier-11163_character_when-you-re-a-young-man-macbeth-is-a-cha_2059228.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/405/laurence-olivier-11163_character_when-you-re-a-young-man-macbeth-is-a-cha_2059228.png) > “When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older, it's a straight part.” [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. A youthful actor sees Macbeth as a role to play, while an older actor experiences it as a personal truth. **In simple terms:** Youth sees roles as parts; age sees them as reality. Key Takeaway Recognize how perspective changes with age. Themes growth identity art age experience Mood reflective nostalgic thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - theatre performance - career reflection - personal development Key Concepts role perception personal truth career evolution Questions to Reflect On - How has your view of a past role changed over time? - Do you feel older now see your younger ambitions differently? A Different Perspective Aging may blur the line between performance and self, causing identity confusion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Older](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-older-2242401/) [Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/macbeth/) [Macbeth Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/macbeth-character-1873924/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) [Man Macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-macbeth-1873926/) [Part](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/part/) [Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young/) [Young man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-man/) ## Related quotes > [ \[May 1958, on playing Macbeth at age 30 and age 48\] When you're a young man, Macbeth is a character part. When you're older,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-olivier/may-1958-on-playing-macbeth-at-age-30-and-age-48-when-you-re-a-young/) [Laurence Olivier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-olivier/) > [Performing a one-man Macbeth feels like the greatest challenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/performing-a-one-man-macbeth-feels-like-the-greatest-challenge/) [Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/) > [As I wrote, I found that Aibileen had some things to say that really weren't in her character. She was older, soft-spoken, and she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-stockett/as-i-wrote-i-found-that-aibileen-had-some-things-to-say-that-really/) [Kathryn Stockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-stockett/) > [The roles I was lucky enough to get were real stretches for me: usually a character who was older, or a little weird, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bates/the-roles-i-was-lucky-enough-to-get-were-real-stretches-for-me/) [Kathy Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bates/) > [As an actor, it's really exciting and challenging to play a character which is much older than your actual age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nithya-menen/as-an-actor-it-s-really-exciting-and-challenging-to-play-a-character/) [Nithya Menen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nithya-menen/) > [I spent lunchtime in a grave during the filming of 'Bloody Mama.' When you're younger, you feel that's what you need to do to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-de-niro/i-spent-lunchtime-in-a-grave-during-the-filming-of-bloody-mama-when/) [Robert De Niro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-de-niro/) > [I think when I was a younger actor, I did carry that stuff home. When I did ...And Justice For All, I was afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-tambor/i-think-when-i-was-a-younger-actor-i-did-carry-that-stuff-home-when-i/) [Jeffrey Tambor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-tambor/) > [I've always wanted to play 'Lady Macbeth' and Strindberg's 'Miss Julie'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivia-d-abo/i-ve-always-wanted-to-play-lady-macbeth-and-strindberg-s-miss-julie/) [Olivia d'Abo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivia-d-abo/) > [For me, what Macbeth is about is people who cannot face their fears and pain and instead of facing them and going beyond, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-cotillard/for-me-what-macbeth-is-about-is-people-who-cannot-face-their-fears/) [Marion Cotillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-cotillard/) > [The idea of Macbeth as a conscience-torm ented man is a platitude as false as Macbeth himself. Macbeth has no conscience. His main concern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-mccarthy/the-idea-of-macbeth-as-a-conscience-torm-ented-man-is-a-platitude-as/) [Mary McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-mccarthy/) > ['Macbeth' is one of those books that demand all of your attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mannie-fresh/macbeth-is-one-of-those-books-that-demand-all-of-your-attention/) [Mannie Fresh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mannie-fresh/) > [“Macbeth's self-justifications were feeble – and his conscience devoured him. Yes, even Iago was a little lamb, too. The imagination and spiritual strength of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-solschenizyn/macbeth-s-self-justifications-were-feeble-and-his-conscience-devoured/) [Alexander Solschenizyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-solschenizyn/) > [“You're like Lady MacBeth without the murder." "Thank you. You have no idea how much of a compliment that is to me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-corey-whaley/you-re-like-lady-macbeth-without-the-murder-thank-you-you-have-no/) [John Corey Whaley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-corey-whaley/) > [Maybe because Im a nice and sweet person in life, I like the darker roles. The really dark one is Lady Macbeth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-netrebko/maybe-because-im-a-nice-and-sweet-person-in-life-i-like-the-darker/) [Anna Netrebko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-netrebko/) > [Very fun! Here is one I like: Double, dubloe toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble. ~ Shakespeare Macbeth Hope you Halloween is spirit-filled!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin/very-fun-here-is-one-i-like-double-dubloe-toil-and-trouble-fire-burn/) [Marvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin/) ## 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 Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Reader, if you are gifted with nerves like mine, aspire to any character but that of a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/reader-if-you-are-gifted-with-nerves-like-mine-aspire-to-any/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [I'm often moved by the circumstances around some of my characters, but I don't think I've actually cried watching myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-winslet/i-m-often-moved-by-the-circumstances-around-some-of-my-characters-but/) [Kate Winslet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-winslet/) > [When you're on a daytime drama you get one page, you better damn well know your character. You better know what she would do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hudgins/when-you-re-on-a-daytime-drama-you-get-one-page-you-better-damn-well/) [David Hudgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hudgins/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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