Basically Quote by Rick Perlstein
“Personally, speaking as a historian and a storyteller, when it comes to inaccuracy in historical fictioneering, I follow the Shakespeare principle: I'm willing to overlook gobs of mistaken detail if the poetic valence is basically correct.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Literary Podcast, 2022
Historical fiction may sacrifice factual accuracy for poetic impact.
In simple terms: Poetry can outweigh factual errors.
Value emotional truth over detail.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- museum exhibits
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is artistic license acceptable?
- How do you verify facts without stifling creativity?
Historical misinformation can mislead.