Illness Quote by Virginia Woolf
““Shakespeare is getting flyblown; a paternal government might well forbid writing about him, as they put his monument at Stratford beyond the reach of scribbling fingers. With all this buzz of criticism about, one may hazard one's conjectures privately, make one's notes in the margin; but, knowing that someone has said it before, or said it better, the zest is gone. Illness, it its kingly sublimity, sweeps all that aside and leaves nothing but Shakespeare and oneself.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Shakespeare and the Pictorial” by Virginia Woolf, 1929
The quote reflects on how reverence for Shakespeare and the weight of prior criticism can stifle personal interpretation, yet illness can strip away pretensions, leaving only the raw connection between reader and text.
In simple terms: Reverence and criticism can mute personal insight; illness removes pretensions, revealing pure connection.
Key Takeaway
Seek personal engagement beyond established criticism.
Themes
literature
criticism
individualism
health
authorship
Mood
reflective
contemplative
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
personal.
When to use this quote
- academic study
- personal reading
- creative writing
- health challenges
- mental focus
Key Concepts
canonical authority
creative freedom
subjective experience
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reverence affect your own analysis?
- Can illness or vulnerability open new perspectives?
A Different Perspective
Even with reverence, personal insight can emerge if one allows vulnerability.
