Shakespeare will not make us better, and he will not make us worse, but he may teach us how to overhear ourselves when we talk to ourselves... he may teach us how to accept change in ourselves as in others, and perhaps even the final form of change.

The quote “Shakespeare will not make us better, and he will not make us worse, but he may teach us how to overhear ourselves when we talk to ourselves... he may teach us how to accept change in ourselves as in others, and perhaps even the final form of change.” by Harold Bloom reflects the profound psychological and philosophical insight that literature, particularly Shakespeare’s, offers to its readers. Bloom, a towering figure in literary criticism and a passionate champion of the Western canon, spent much of his career exploring how Shakespeare shaped our understanding of human nature. This quote encapsulates his belief that Shakespeare’s greatest power lies not in moral instruction, but in fostering self-awareness.

By stating that Shakespeare will not make us “better or worse,” Bloom distances himself from the idea that literature must serve a didactic or moralizing function. Instead, he proposes that Shakespeare’s works function as mirrors to the soul, offering readers a unique opportunity to overhear their own inner dialogues—those quiet, sometimes contradictory thoughts that define what it means to be human. Shakespeare’s characters often engage in deep self-reflection, and in witnessing them, we may become more attuned to the complexities within ourselves.

The idea of learning to “accept change in ourselves as in others” points to Shakespeare's deep engagement with transformation, whether through love, ambition, grief, or aging. His plays are filled with characters who undergo profound shifts—voluntary or otherwise—and who must come to terms with change, whether internal or external. Bloom suggests that through Shakespeare, we may develop a greater capacity to understand and embrace not only the transformations in those around us but also the often unsettling changes within our own lives.

The final phrase, “the final form of change,” is a poetic reference to death, a recurring theme in Shakespeare’s works. Bloom acknowledges that Shakespeare, perhaps more than any other writer, helps us contemplate mortality not with fear, but with acceptance and insight. Ultimately, this quote underscores Bloom’s belief that the true value of Shakespeare lies in his ability to expand our emotional and intellectual range, teaching us how to live, reflect, and change—right up to the very end.