There's more of yourself in a book than a play. that's why we know all about Dickens and not much about Shakespeare. Ben Jonson murdered people; Marlowe was a spy; Shakespeare just sat in the corner and took notes.

Summary

This quote suggests that books provide a deeper understanding of an author's true self compared to plays. It points to the fact that we know more about Charles Dickens as a person because his books reflect his thoughts and experiences, while William Shakespeare, although renowned for his plays, remains somewhat mysterious as he seemingly only observed and recorded others' stories. The quote also introduces the contrasting behaviors of other playwrights like Ben Jonson and Christopher Marlowe who were involved in more controversial activities beyond writing.

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