"The pit of a theatre is the one place where the tears of virtuous and wicked men alike are mingled"
- Denis Diderot
About this Quote
In this quote, Denis Diderot is highlighting the power of the theatre to evoke strong emotions in both great and bad people. The "pit" refers to the seating location in a theatre, where the audience sits to see the efficiency. Diderot recommends that in this area, the tears shed by both virtuous and wicked people are mixed together. This suggests that the theatre has the ability to move people from all strolls of life, regardless of their ethical character. It also suggests that the theatre is a location of equality, where everybody is impacted by the same feelings and experiences. Diderot's words remind us of the universal appeal and impact of the theatre, in addition to its ability to bring people together through shared emotions.
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