They say you can't study Kabbalah until you are at least 40 years old. You know why? You have to have experienced at least one generation making the same mistakes as the previous one.
David MametRead
A stage play is basically a form of uber-schizophrenia. You split yourself into two minds - one being the protagonist and the other being the antagonist. The playwright also splits himself into two other minds: the mind of the writer and the mind of the audience.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the complexity of creating a stage play, involving a deep division of identity between characters and the creators.
David Mamet's quote reflects on the intricate nature of theater, where a playwright and actors embody contrasting roles, simultaneously engaging with multiple perspectives. This duality enhances the storytelling experience, as the creative process requires the playwright to understand both the characters they create and the audience's reactions. Through this 'uber-schizophrenia,' the art of drama becomes a profound exploration of human nature and the many roles we play in life.
Themes
TheaterIdentityPerformancePlaywrightAudience
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about the importance of creativity in education, one could quote Mamet to illustrate the depth of thought involved in artistic expression.
More from David Mamet
All quotes →My alma mater is the Chicago Public Library. I got what little educational foundation I got in the third-floor reading room, under the tutelage of a Coca-Cola sign.
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You know, young actors say all the time, 'Should I use my own life experience?' And my response is, 'What choice do you have?'
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It's hard for a Jew of my generation, an American Jew, who is philo-Zionistic, not to romanticize Israel.
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You can't write about history without writing about politics at some point. History is about movements of people. 'What is criminality and what is government' is a theme that runs through every history.
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Every reiteration of the idea that nothing matters debases the human spirit.
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Well, what's interesting, I try not to think about the radio when I'm writing a song. I want people to love the song, and that means it might not be exactly thinking about the radio, but it's thinking about your audience and saying, 'I want people to like this song after it's done.'
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I went to the zoo one day and saw a chimp playing with a beat-up acoustic guitar in a way I had never seen before. Instead of using the pick the chimp was banging the neck and tapping it with its fingers. I knew the chimp was on to something so I practiced this new technique in my room for hours until I'd perfected it.
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Literature is the most noble of professions. In fact, it is about the only one fit for a man.
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