When people will not weed their own minds, they are apt to be overrun by nettles.
Horace WalpoleRead
Plot, rules, nor even poetry, are not half so great beauties in tragedy or comedy as a just imitation of nature, of character, of the passions and their operations in diversified situations.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The essence of tragedy and comedy lies in accurately reflecting nature and human emotions rather than merely adhering to strict artistic rules.
In this quote, Horace Walpole emphasizes that the true beauty of both tragedy and comedy comes from their ability to authentically imitate the complexities of nature and human character. He argues that the depiction of emotions and the various circumstances that elicit them are more significant than the adherence to literary structure or plot, underscoring the importance of realism in art.
Themes
ArtNatureCharacterEmotionsTragedyComedy
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on the importance of realism in drama, one might say, 'As Horace Walpole puts it, true beauty in art comes from imitating the depths of human nature.'
More from Horace Walpole
All quotes →Life is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel.
Horace WalpoleRead
We often repent of our first thoughts, and scarce ever of our second.
Horace WalpoleRead
Who has begun has half done. Have the courage to be wise. Begin!
Horace WalpoleRead
By deafness one gains in one respect more than one loses; one misses more nonsense than sense.
Horace WalpoleRead
Men are often capable of greater things than they perform - They are sent into the world with bills of credit, and seldom draw to their full extent.
Horace WalpoleRead
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