Well, my wife always says to me, and I think it's true, it's very difficult for us to understand the Elizabethan understanding and enjoyment and perception of form as it is to say... it would be for them to understand computers or going to the moon or something.

The quote, "Well, my wife always says to me, and I think it's true, it's very difficult for us to understand the Elizabethan understanding and enjoyment and perception of form as it is to say... it would be for them to understand computers or going to the moon or something," by Mark Rylance, reflects on the challenges of bridging the gap between different historical and cultural mindsets. Rylance, an actor known for his performances in Shakespearean works, uses this analogy to emphasize how difficult it is for modern people to fully grasp the perspectives and values of people from the Elizabethan era, just as it would be hard for those people to comprehend contemporary concepts like technology and space exploration.

The origin of the quote stems from Rylance’s experience as an actor in the Shakespearean tradition. As someone who regularly immerses himself in Elizabethan drama, he acknowledges the vast difference in how people from the past perceived the world, particularly their understanding of form in art and performance. Just as modern concepts such as computers and space exploration may seem unfathomable to those living in the Elizabethan era, the reverse is true for us today—understanding their appreciation for form and structure in art can be equally challenging.

At its core, the quote speaks to the concept of historical distance and how different cultural contexts shape our perceptions of reality. Rylance suggests that while we can study and analyze historical works, there’s a fundamental disconnect between our modern way of thinking and the Elizabethan mindset. This disconnect is not just about technological differences, but also about the very ways in which people from different times and places understand and appreciate beauty, structure, and art.

The quote also highlights the limitations of human understanding across time. Rylance points out that just as it is challenging for us to comprehend the worldview of the Elizabethans, it would have been equally difficult for them to envision the complexities of our modern world. It serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of human thought and culture, and how advancements in technology and society continuously reshape the way we perceive the world around us.