From _A Shakespearean Actor Prepares_ by Adrian Brine and Michael York: Frequently an actor is given a role in a film or a television play to which the author's contribution is quite sketchy. Dialogue is minimal, characterization almost nonexistent, and the player has to put his talent and imagination to work to make the part come alive at all. The written material lies inert like an empty glove, and the actor becomes the hand that animates it. With Shakespeare, the situation is reversed. It is the actor who is the glove, and Shakespeare the hand that gives him body and strength and movement. So complete a playwright is he that, if listened to, he will do three-quarters of the actor's work for him. Of course, this demands a greater dose of humility than some actors are capable of producing, but paradoxically, _the more the actor relies on Shakespeare the better he acts_. From _Julius Caesar_, Act I, Scene 2: Cassius: Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? Brutus: No, Cassius; for the eye sees not itself But by reflection, by some other things. Cassius: 'Tis just: And it is very much lamented, Brutus, That you have no mirrors as will turn Your hidden worthiness into your eye, That you might see your shadow. I have heard, Where many of the best respect in Rome-- Except immortal Caesar--speaking of Brutus, And groaning underneath this age's yoke, Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. Brutus: Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, That you would have me seek into myself For that which is not in me? From _Romeo and Juliet_, Act II, Scene 2: Juliet: O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet. Romeo: Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? Juliet: 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What's Montague? It is nor hand nor foot Nor arm nor face nor any other part Belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd, Retain that dear perfection which owes Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name; And for thy name, which is no part of thee, Take all myself. Romeo: I take thee at thy word. Call me but love, and I'll be new baptis'd; Henceforth I never will be Romeo.