Audience Quote by Margaret Atwood
“Even in the tragedies, Shakespeare always put in parts for the comic actors because his audience was mixed. He puts in people who talk like aristocrats. He puts in idiots and fools. He puts in certain middle-range characters. And when you go to the Globe, you realize how that all works. The people who paid more sat in seats around the edge. Everybody else paid a penny. They put it into a tin box - that's why we call it the "box office." They stood in the pit, but they were very close, so when Hamlet was doing his soliloquy, it was addressed to you, the audience - right there.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Margaret Atwood on Shakespeare, 2015
Shakespeare mixed tragedy with comedy to engage a socially diverse audience, using varied characters and direct address to bridge class gaps.
In simple terms: Shakespeare blended humor with tragedy to reach all audience levels.
Key Takeaway
Use varied tones to connect with diverse listeners.
Themes
theatre
class
audience engagement
humor
tragedy
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
educational
inspirational
analytical
When to use this quote
- producing plays
- modern theater
- educational workshops
Key Concepts
dramatic structure
social stratification
direct address
Questions to Reflect On
- How does comedy affect audience empathy?
- What modern venues can emulate this mix?
A Different Perspective
Balancing humor and seriousness can dilute thematic depth.
![“Even in the tragedies, [William] Shakespeare always put in parts for the comic actors because his audience was mixed. He puts in people who talk like aristocrats. He puts in idiots and fools.” quote by Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f1e/margaret-atwood-40_actors_even-in-the-tragedies-william-shakespear_1868512.jpg)
