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This is a gift that I have, simple, simple; a foolish extravagant spirit full of forms, figures, shapes, objects, ideas, apprehensions, motions, revolutions; these are begot in the ventricle of memory, nourished in the womb of pia mater, and delivered upon the mellowing of occasion.
William Shakespeare
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects the complexity and richness of creativity, describing how ideas are formed and expressed.

In this quote by William Shakespeare, the speaker expresses the intricate and almost mysterious nature of creative thought. The use of vivid imagery like 'ventricle of memory' and 'womb of pia mater' suggests that creativity is deeply rooted in memory and thought processes, nourished and birthed in moments of inspiration. It implies that artistic expression is a spontaneous and abundant gift, brimming with diverse ideas and forms.

Themes

CreativityMemoryArtImaginationInspiration

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about art and creativity at a local gallery opening.

More from William Shakespeare

As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
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Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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