Do you know what a playwright is? A playwright is someone who lets his guts hang out on the stage.
Edward AlbeeRead
Every monster was a man first.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that all individuals have the capacity for both good and evil, and that adversity can shape one's nature.
Edward Albee's quote 'Every monster was a man first' reflects the idea that every person has a history and circumstances that contribute to their current state. It implies that behaviors perceived as monstrous often stem from experiences, choices, and societal influences, urging us to consider the humanity behind actions that we might deem as inhumane.
Themes
HumanityGoodEvilCircumstancesBehavior
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about redemption and change, this quote can highlight the themes of understanding one's past.
More from Edward Albee
All quotes βWhen a critic sets himself up as an arbiter of morality, a judge of the matter and not the manner of a work, he is no longer a critic; he is a censor.
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I am convinced that no one is fully educated without a full grounding in the arts.
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Good writers define reality; bad ones merely restate it.
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Remember one thing about democracy. We can have anything we want and at the same time, we always end up with exactly what we deserve.
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Your source material is the people you know, not those you don't know, but every character is an extension of the author's own personality.
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