Food for thought Quote by W.H. Auden
““In actual fact, however, the revolt of Ibsen and Shaw against the conventional nineteenth century drama could very well be described as a return to Shakespeare, as an attempt once again to present human beings in their historical and social setting and not, as playwrights since the Restoration had done, either as wholly private or as embodiments of the social manners of a tiny class. Shakespeare’s plays, it is true, are not, in the Shavian sense, "dramas of thought," that is to say, not one of his characters is an intellectual: it is true, as Shaw says, that, when stripped of their wonderful diction, the philosophical and moral views expressed by his characters are commonplaces, but the number of people in any generation or society whose thoughts are not commonplace is very small indeed. On the other hand, there is hardly one of his plays which does not provide unending food for thought, if one cares to think about it.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “Theatre and the Human Condition” by W.H. Auden, 1935
Shakespeare’s works embed characters in realistic social contexts, offering endless material for thought beyond mere intellectualism.
In simple terms: Shakespeare shows people in real society, sparking deep reflection.
Key Takeaway
Seek depth in storytelling.
Themes
literature
history
society
human nature
theatre
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
literary
critical
When to use this quote
- reading classic plays
- writing scripts
- teaching literature
Key Concepts
contextual realism
philosophical drama
Questions to Reflect On
- How does setting influence character meaning?
- What modern issues mirror Shakespeare’s themes?
A Different Perspective
Shakespeare’s language can be dense for modern audiences.
![“Cassio is a ladies’ man, that is to say, a man who feels most at home in feminine company where his looks and good manners make him popular, but is ill at ease in the company of his own sex because he is unsure of his own masculinity. […] Cassio is a ladies’ man, not a seducer. With women of his…” quote by W.H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb5/w-h-auden-2-7412_business_cassio-is-a-ladies-man-that-is-to-say-a_87978.jpg)
