Paradox of Acting

work by Diderot

Also known as: “Paradoxe sur le comédien”

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July 1, 2026

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The Paradox of Acting is an essay by Denis Diderot, written in 1773 but published posthumously in 1830. It explores a central question in acting: should an actor be genuinely moved by emotion to portray a character effectively, or should they remain detached and use technique?123

Diderot argued that to consistently portray a role with the same spirit and success across multiple performances, an actor must remain unmoved, relying on craft and observation rather than genuine emotion. He observed that actors who performed from the heart often had inconsistent performances, being "alternately strong and feeble, fiery and cold". The essay suggests that true artistry in acting comes from a controlled, deliberate approach, allowing the actor to evoke emotion in the audience without necessarily experiencing it themselves.23

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Denis Diderot
Novels, dialogues, and plays of Denis Diderot
In his Paradoxe sur le comédien (written 1773, published 1830), Diderot argued that great actors must possess judgment and penetration without “sensibility”—i.e., without actually experiencing the emotions they are portraying as characters on the stage. Although Diderot wrote literary criticism, it is as the first great art…
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In his Paradoxe sur le comédien (written 1773, published 1830), Diderot argued that great actors must possess judgment and penetration without “sensibility”—i.e., without actually experiencing the emotions they are portraying as characters on the stage. Although Diderot wrote literary criticism, it is as the first great art…
Read More

acting
Diderot’s Paradox of Acting
The most significant statement on acting is Diderot’s Paradox of Acting. Because of its polemic brilliance, it remains the most widely known essay on the subject. In the 20th century it provided the guiding precepts for the influential work of the French…
Read More
The most significant statement on acting is Diderot’s Paradox of Acting. Because of its polemic brilliance, it remains the most widely known essay on the subject. In the 20th century it provided the guiding precepts for the influential work of the French…
Read More