Meaning: The quote "Shaw's plays are the price we pay for Shaw's prefaces" by James Agate is a reflection on the prolific playwright George Bernard Shaw and his tendency to include lengthy and often didactic prefaces with his plays. This quote is a clever play on words, highlighting the idea that the prefaces, which are often filled with Shaw's philosophical musings and social commentary, can be seen as a "price" that audiences and readers must pay in order to engage with his plays.

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was an Irish playwright, critic, and polemicist who is best known for his works such as "Pygmalion," "Man and Superman," and "Saint Joan." He was a prominent figure in the literary and social circles of his time, and his plays often challenged the conventional norms of society and explored complex themes such as class struggle, gender roles, and the nature of morality.

Shaw's prefaces, which were often longer than the plays themselves, served as a platform for him to expound on his ideas and beliefs. In these prefaces, Shaw discussed a wide range of topics, including his views on politics, economics, art, and the role of the artist in society. He used his prefaces as a means to advocate for his ideas and to provoke thought and discussion among his readers and audiences.

James Agate, an English diarist and critic, made the statement "Shaw's plays are the price we pay for Shaw's prefaces" as a way of emphasizing the significant influence that Shaw's prefaces had on shaping the reception and interpretation of his plays. Agate's quote suggests that while Shaw's plays themselves may be challenging or demanding, it is ultimately the insights and provocations found in his prefaces that give them depth and complexity.

One interpretation of this quote is that Shaw's prefaces serve as a form of intellectual currency, enriching the experience of engaging with his plays but also requiring the audience to invest time and effort in understanding the ideas presented. In this sense, the quote captures the idea that Shaw's prefaces are not just additional material, but an integral part of the overall experience of his work.

Furthermore, Agate's quote can also be seen as a commentary on the relationship between an artist and their audience. Shaw's prefaces can be viewed as a form of dialogue with his readers and audiences, challenging them to think critically and engage with the themes and ideas presented in his plays. In this way, the "price" that Agate refers to may not only be the effort required to digest Shaw's prefaces, but also the intellectual and emotional investment needed to fully appreciate the depth of his work.

In conclusion, James Agate's quote "Shaw's plays are the price we pay for Shaw's prefaces" encapsulates the idea that George Bernard Shaw's prefaces are an essential component of understanding and appreciating his plays. It highlights the intellectual and philosophical depth of Shaw's writing and emphasizes the significance of his prefaces in shaping the reception and interpretation of his work. The quote serves as a reminder of the intricate relationship between an artist's ideas and the audience's engagement with their work, inviting a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in Shaw's plays and prefaces.