I believe in broken, fractured, complicated narratives, but I believe in narratives as a vehicle for truth, not simply as a form of entertainment, though I love entertainment, but also a way of conveying what needs to be conveyed about the works that I care about.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of complex narratives in conveying deeper truths beyond mere entertainment.
Stephen Greenblatt's quote reflects his belief that narratives, even when broken or complicated, serve as powerful mediums for communicating essential truths about the subjects he is passionate about. While he enjoys entertainment, he prioritizes the narrative's ability to express what matters, indicating that stories can be much more than just enjoyable, but also meaningful and significant.
In practice
During a lecture on storytelling techniques, this quote can highlight the value of narratives in connecting with audiences on deeper issues.
I've been at this for 40 years. And, as an academic, I've been content with relatively small audiences, with the thought that the audience I long for will find its way eventually to what I have written, provided that what I have written is good enough.
What I wanted to do was to get that sense of being in touch with this lost world while holding onto what draws readers and audiences there in the first place.
What matters here are the works - finally without them his life would be uninteresting. What matters, that is, are the astonishing things that he left behind. If we can get the life in relation to the works, then it can take off.
The exercise of reason is not available only to specialists; it is accessible to everyone.
Compared to the unleashed forces of warfare and of faith, Mount Vesuvius was kinder to the legacy of antiquity.
The greatest obstacle to pleasure is not pain; it is delusion.
What I am interested in now is the landscape. Pictures without people. I wouldn't be surprised if eventually there are no people in my pictures. It is so emotional.
Decoration is really about creating a quality of life, and a beauty in that life that nourishes the soul, that makes life beautiful.
I say over and over again that I am just standing on the shoulders of so many who have set this path for me, and they may not be seen or recognized or have been given an opportunity to have a voice, but I'm here representing all of those dancers. Dance Theatre of Harlem Virginia Johnson, Tai Jimenez, Lauren Anderson.
Chess is no whit inferior to the violin, and we have a large number of professional violinists
The great fun in my life has been getting up every morning and rushing to the typewriter because some new idea has hit me.
I like touring extensively because I think the more hours you spend onstage, the more you know who you are onstage.
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