Applause Quote by W. S. Gilbert
“A popular speaker, however unpopular and insignificant, has only to wind up his speech with half-a-dozen lines of Shakespeare (and to make it clearly understood that they are Shakespeare's) and he will sit down amid thunders of applause.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Mikado, 1885
A short, recognizable Shakespeare quote can instantly elevate a speaker’s credibility and win applause.
In simple terms: Shakespeare lines boost speaker appeal.
Key Takeaway
Use brief classic quotes to engage audiences.
Themes
public speaking
credibility
literature
Mood
confident
strategic
Type
rhetorical
motivational
When to use this quote
- political speeches
- academic lectures
- corporate presentations
- media interviews
- educational workshops
Key Concepts
rhetoric
cultural capital
Questions to Reflect On
- When does quoting Shakespeare feel gimmicky?
- How can you balance originality with homage?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on famous lines may seem unoriginal or manipulative.
![“All the shows we did pre-airdate, and I'd come out - "Rob Lowe!" - and it was [Offers bored applause.] After the show aired? I came out - "Rob Lowe!" - and the place was, like, bedlam. And then the next week, they wouldn't let anyone under the age of 20 into the audience. And I'm going, "So that's…” quote by Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/66b/rob-lowe-855_age_all-the-shows-we-did-pre-airdate-and-i-d_31307.jpg)
