A man's life of any worth is a continual allegory — and very few eyes can see the mystery of life — a life like the Scriptures, figurative... Lord Byron cuts a figure, but he is not figurative. Shakespeare led a life of allegory: his works are the comments on it.

Letter to George and Georgiana Keats (February 14 - May 3, 1819). - Letters (1817-1820)