Literary notes about actor (AI summary)
Throughout literary history, the term actor has served as a versatile symbol, representing both a professional on the stage and a metaphor for the roles individuals play in life. It can denote the literal performer—someone admired for their mastery of dramatic presentation [1] or critiqued for failing to embody the necessary passion [2]—while also suggesting a broader commentary on human behavior. At times, writers depict characters as playing parts not originally written for them, hinting at the conflict between fate and self-determination [3]. In other contexts, the actor is invoked to highlight a duality between appearance and inner truth, where one’s external performance overshadows or even underscores one’s real identity [4]. The usage even stretches into political and philosophical realms, where the actor emerges as a figure whose actions carry the weight of authority and responsibility [5, 6].
- Robert William Elliston (1774-1831), actor and manager, famous for his stage lovers, both in comedy and tragedy.
— from The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 2 by Charles Lamb and Mary Lamb - The Russian actor does not know how to be funny; he acts with profundity even in a farce.
— from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov - He becomes an echo of some one else's music, an actor of a part that has not been written for him.
— from The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde - Substance, form, duration, actor, spectator—in these comedies you act as your complete selves!
— from The Dawn of Day by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche - And then the Person is the Actor; and he that owneth his words and actions, is the AUTHOR:
— from Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes - Means is a thing ; the agent or actor is a person .
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson
