With this same key Shakespeare unlocked his heart, once more! Did Shakespeare? If so, the less Shakespeare be!

With this same key Shakespeare unlocked his heart, once more! Did Shakespeare? If so, the less Shakespeare be!

The quote “With this same key Shakespeare unlocked his heart, once more! Did Shakespeare? If so, the less Shakespeare be!” is a line from Robert Browning’s poem “House” which explores the idea of how artists, like Shakespeare, reveal their innermost thoughts and emotions through their work. Browning suggests that by delving into the depths of their own hearts and souls, artists are able to create timeless and profound works of art that resonate with audiences for generations to come.

In this particular line, Browning seems to be questioning whether Shakespeare truly bared his soul in his writing, or if he merely presented a facade to the world. By suggesting that the more Shakespeare revealed of himself, the less of a true artist he became, Browning raises the idea that perhaps true artistry lies in the ability to conceal one’s true self and create something that transcends personal experience.

Browning himself was known for his exploration of the human psyche and the complexities of human emotion in his poetry. He often delved into the darker aspects of human nature, such as jealousy, obsession, and madness, in order to reveal the inner workings of the human mind. Like Shakespeare, Browning used his poetry as a means of self-expression and self-exploration, delving deep into his own thoughts and emotions to create works that were both deeply personal and universally relatable.