When I was studying Shakespeare as a theatre major, I had a professor who would talk about “the purple passages.” These are the really famous lines and speeches that English speakers seem to be born with a at least a faint awareness of; that sixth sense that says “you have heard this before.” (It also applies to certain fairy tales and most Beatle’s lyrics.)
“To be or not to be,” “the quality of mercy is not strained,” “what’s in a name?” “some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them” are a few examples that come to mind.
I saw this man in a bar and asked if I could take a photo, and he kindly agreed. He may not look kind, but he really was.
It’s been a while since college but I’m surprised I don’t remember this quote. Must be more of a “puce passage.”
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