Also, an area that interests me – and it will probably take years to state what I mean – is the period of the rise of democracy, with Tom Paine, which is around the turn of the 18th century into the 19th.

Meaning of the quote

This quote by Irish actress Fiona Shaw is talking about an important time in history - the rise of democracy in the late 1700s and early 1800s. During this period, a man named Tom Paine played a big role in this change. Fiona is very interested in learning more about this time period, but she says it would take her a long time to fully explain what she means. She's fascinated by how democracy became more important during the switch from the 18th to the 19th century.

About Fiona Shaw

Fiona Shaw is an acclaimed Irish actress known for her work in film, theatre, and television. She has won numerous awards, including an Olivier Award, and has had notable roles in the Harry Potter series, True Blood, and Killing Eve.

More about the author

More quotes from Fiona Shaw

Irish people are educated not only about artistry but local history.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

The energy released by it is enormous and it becomes quite addictive, the power between the audience and the actor.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

So I just play the character, I play the lines.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

One moment cannot be the most important.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

I think America becomes more disgruntled by going to the movies and having an endlessly good time at them.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

I take the theater seriously in that I loathe it, I’m bored by it.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

There’s something about the Irish that is remarkable.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

Acting doesn’t have to be threadbare misery all the time.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

Also, an area that interests me – and it will probably take years to state what I mean – is the period of the rise of democracy, with Tom Paine, which is around the turn of the 18th century into the 19th.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

Once you’ve done one style, you leave it for a while.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

There is a great relief in experiencing the worst vicariously.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

I would love to write the story of my upbringing in Ireland.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

Theater is dangerously open to repetition. It’s exciting when you hit on a new way.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

I certainly had no intention of playing a man.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

I can hardly decide what plays I should be in.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

The Americans are very clear, and obsessed with nouns.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

A lot of Irish people perform. They perform in drawing rooms. They sing songs and they play piano.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

There once was a demographic survey done to determine if money was connected to happiness and Ireland was the only place where this did not turn out to be true.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

I would say the next imminent hot writers are often the writers from the decade before you were born.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

I just think that things should be allowed to run their course, and not turned into a Disney ride.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

My mother taught me to read.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

Every generation is obsessed with the decade before they were born.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

This whole tribal loyalty seems to have gone.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

To be honest I live among the English and have always found them to be very honest in their business dealings. They are noble, hard-working and anxious to do the right thing. But joy eludes them, they lack the joy that the Irish have.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

Theater dates very quickly.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

There was no professional theater in Cork, but still I did a lot of performing.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

People who are good at film have a relationship with the camera.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

I find it incredibly tedious, hate that it murders itself with its own conservative pomposity.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

I had a ball doing Harry Potter.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

Even when they have nothing, the Irish emit a kind of happiness, a joy.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)

The word democracy has no meaning. Duty has gone. Only rights remain.

Fiona Shaw

Irish actress (born 1958)