Page "Globe Theatre" Paragraph 14

The name of the Globe supposedly alludes to the Latin tag totus mundus agit histrionem, in turn derived from quod fere totus mundus exerceat histrionem —" because all the world plays the actor "— from Petronius, which had wide circulation in England in the Burbages ' time.

Totus mundus agit histrionem was, according to this explanation, therefore adopted as the theatre's motto.

It seems likely, however, that the link between the saying and the Globe was made only later, originating with the industrious early Shakespeare biographer William Oldys, who claimed as his source a private manuscript to which he once had access.

This was repeated in good faith by his literary executor George Steevens, but the tale is now thought " suspicious ".