Good roles are hard to find no matter what age.

"Good roles are hard to find no matter what age." – Glenn Close

In the ever-turning wheel of life, there are few truths more profound than the struggle for purpose and recognition. Glenn Close’s words resonate with a universal theme—that no matter the stage of life, finding a role that truly reflects one’s potential and aspirations is a difficult and elusive pursuit. This is not just true for actors like Close, but for all who seek meaning in their work, in their relationships, and in the roles they play in the grand story of existence. The struggle to be seen, to have one’s gifts acknowledged, is as old as time itself, and it speaks to the very heart of the human condition.

The ancient Greeks understood this deeply. The stories of their heroes and gods are filled with characters who, despite their strength or brilliance, often faced the challenge of being acknowledged or finding the right path for their unique talents. Consider Achilles, whose unmatched skill in battle earned him fame, yet his internal struggle for honor and recognition marked his life with turmoil. His story speaks to the idea that even those with the greatest talents are often denied the roles they deserve or are forced to take on roles that do not reflect their true essence. This is the paradox of human existence: good roles are not given freely, and often, the greatest among us are those who fight the hardest to find them.

Similarly, in Shakespeare’s tragedies, the best-known characters—such as Hamlet and Macbeth—are men who struggle to define their roles in life, fighting against forces both external and internal. Hamlet’s famous soliloquy—"To be or not to be"—reveals a man grappling not only with external obstacles but with the very question of his place in the world. Like Glenn Close, these figures know that finding one’s role is not a simple matter of recognition, but a matter of deep internal conflict, uncertainty, and the painful realization that the world may not always reward one’s true worth.

In Close’s words, there is also a deeper understanding of timing and age. It is not just that good roles are rare, but that the roles we seek often come at the wrong time in our lives, or when we are no longer seen in the light we wish to be. Fame and recognition in youth can be fleeting, and as we age, the world often shifts its gaze, turning to newer faces or different ideals. This truth is echoed in the story of Moses, who, after spending years in the wilderness, was called to lead the Israelites—not in his youth, but in his old age. The lesson here is that timing often plays a greater role in finding meaningful work than does talent or ambition. However, like Close, Moses had to overcome the internal struggle of finding his role in a world that did not view him as the young, vibrant figure of the past.

The lesson in Close’s words also touches upon the human need for purpose. When one is unable to find a fitting role in life, the search for meaning can be long and painful. This is especially true when the world tells you that your time has passed or that others are more deserving. Sophocles’ Antigone, a play that has lasted through the centuries, shows us a woman who is willing to sacrifice everything for what she believes is the right role—one that reflects her duty to family and to higher moral principles. She is, in her struggle, bold in claiming the role that others have denied her. This courage to forge your own path, even when others have told you your time is over, is the very essence of the human spirit that Close’s quote speaks to.

There is also great wisdom in acknowledging the universal truth that the roles we seek in life are not always those we are given. Life, in all its unpredictability, often leaves us to create our own roles, even if the world around us is blind to our potential. Leonardo da Vinci, the polymath, spent his life in search of recognition for his talents, but he often struggled with finding the support and opportunities he desired. His genius, though widely recognized today, was at times dismissed by the very people he sought to serve. Da Vinci’s legacy, though it arose from great struggle, shows us that the worth of one’s work is not always apparent in the moment, and that sometimes, true roles emerge only after long periods of effort and perseverance.

The practical lesson, therefore, is this: good roles are not easily found or quickly given, but must often be earned through dedication, resilience, and the courage to persist even when the world seems to have overlooked us. Like Glenn Close and the great figures of history, we must embrace the idea that our roles are not always handed to us, but are something we must create for ourselves. It is the ability to recognize our worth, even when others do not, and to continue striving with purpose and integrity that ensures we will always find our place in the grand theater of life.