There's a tradition in British intellectual life of mocking any non-political force that gets involved in politics, especially within the sphere of the arts and the theatre.

I also found being called Sir rather silly.

I'll tell you what I really think about politicians. The other night I watched some politicians on television talking about Vietnam. I wanted very much to burst through the screen with a flame thrower and burn their eyes out and their balls off and then inquire from them how they would assess the action from a political point of view.

I can't really articulate what I feel.

All that happens is that the destruction of human beings - unless they're Americans - is called collateral damage.

I don't give a damn what other people think. It's entirely their own business. I'm not writing for other people.

When you lead a life of scholarship you can't be bothered with the humorous realities, you know, tits, that kind of thing.