"I think reading Shakespeare's plays when I was young was extremely important. He had the ability to make utter strangers come alive"

Rita Dove's quote talks to the power of literature and the impact it can have on a person's life. By reading Shakespeare's plays, she had the ability to gain a better understanding of the human condition and the complexities of life. Through his characters, Shakespeare had the ability to bring to life people who were otherwise strangers to her. This allowed her to acquire a greater appreciation for the diversity of life and the different perspectives that exist. By reading his works, she had the ability to gain a much better understanding of the world around her and the people in it. This quote talks to the importance of literature in our lives and how it can assist us to acquire a better understanding of the world and the people in it.