"Why, except as a means of livelihood, a man should desire to act on the stage when he has the whole world to act in, is not clear to me"

This quote by George Bernard Shaw is a reflection on the purpose of acting. He concerns why someone would pick to act on the stage when they have the whole world to explore and experience. He implies that there should be some other inspiration for somebody to select to act upon the stage, such as a way of livelihood. Shaw recommends that the function of acting must be more than just a job, as the world provides many other chances. He indicates that there should be something unique about the stage that draws individuals to it, and that it needs to be more than just a job. Shaw's quote encourages us to consider why we choose to act on the stage, and to consider what it is that makes it so special.