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William Shakespeare Quotes

Powerful William Shakespeare for Daily Growth

About William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare, born on April 26, 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and one of the most influential figures in world literature. His precise birthdate remains unknown due to the fact that records were kept by the church year rather than by the Gregorian calendar. Shakespeare was the third of eight children born to John Shakespeare, a successful glover, and Mary Arden. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582 at age 18 and had three children: Susanna, Hamnet (who died in childhood), and Judith. The exact details of Shakespeare's life during this period are unclear, but it is believed that he spent time working as an actor and playwright in London. From around 1590 to 1613, Shakespeare was associated with the Chamberlain's Men (later known as the King's Men), for whom he wrote approximately 39 plays. His works span various genres including tragedies ('Hamlet', 'Macbeth', 'Othello'), comedies ('A Midsummer Night's Dream', 'Twelfth Night'), and histories ('Richard III', 'Henry V'). Some of his most famous sonnets were also written during this time. Shakespeare's influence extends beyond literature, impacting philosophy, language, arts, and more. His works continue to be performed worldwide today, embodying themes that remain relevant centuries later. He died on April 23, 1616, leaving behind a timeless legacy that has captivated audiences for over four hundred years.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"To be, or not to be: that is the question." - Hamlet (3.1.56)

This quote from Hamlet signifies the internal struggle that exists within every individual about the purpose, meaning, and impact of one's own existence. It expresses the doubt and contemplation about whether to continue living or not, a profound reflection on life and death, particularly in the face of adversity or overwhelming circumstances. This quote has become synonymous with deep introspection and existential questioning.

"All's well that ends well." - King John (5.7.109)

The phrase "All's well that ends well" from King John by William Shakespeare signifies that everything turns out right or is acceptable if the outcome is positive, especially when considering the challenges faced during the process. In essence, it suggests that a successful conclusion justifies any hardships experienced along the way.

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate." - Sonnet 18

In this sonnet, Shakespeare is expressing the highest admiration for his beloved. He compares her not to an ordinary summer day, but one that surpasses it in beauty and consistency. The "loveliness" refers to her charm and attractiveness, while "more temperate" indicates a calm and steady nature, contrasting the unpredictable weather of a summer's day. Overall, Shakespeare is using poetic language to convey his deep affection for someone who embodies perfection beyond the beauty of a summer's day.

"If music be the food of love, play on." - Twelfth Night (1.1.1)

The quote suggests that if listening to music fosters feelings of love, then one should continue to play or listen to more music. In essence, it expresses an unabashed desire for love and passion, with the enjoyment of music being a means to stir these emotions.

"And though she be but little, she is fierce!" - A Midsummer Night's Dream (2.1.179-180)

The quote "And though she be but little, she is fierce!" from A Midsummer Night's Dream highlights the idea that a person or thing may appear small, weak, or insignificant in size or power, yet possess an immense amount of strength, courage, or influence. It encourages recognition and appreciation for hidden potential, reminding us not to underestimate others based on their appearance or initial impressions.

It is a wise father that knows his own child.

- William Shakespeare

Father, Wise, His, Father's Day

Though she be but little, she is fierce.

- William Shakespeare

Fierce, She, Little, Though

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow.

- William Shakespeare

Good Night, Dating, Parting, Say

God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.

- William Shakespeare

God, Face, Given, Yourself

Talking isn't doing. It is a kind of good deed to say well; and yet words are not deeds.

- William Shakespeare

Words, Doing, Kind, Deeds

He that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer.

- William Shakespeare

Loves, Flatterer, Flattered, Worthy

When we are born we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.

- William Shakespeare

Born, Stage, Come, Cry

I am not bound to please thee with my answer.

- William Shakespeare

I Am, Bound, Thee, Answer

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.

- William Shakespeare

Old, Come, Mirth, Wrinkles

We are time's subjects, and time bids be gone.

- William Shakespeare

Time, Gone, Bids, Subjects

A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser.

- William Shakespeare

Nature, Peace, Then, Both Parties

How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.

- William Shakespeare

Good, How Far, Shines, Throws

A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.

- William Shakespeare

Wise, Fool, Himself, Knows

And why not death rather than living torment? To die is to be banish'd from myself; And Silvia is myself: banish'd from her Is self from self: a deadly banishment!

- William Shakespeare

Die, Living, Torment, Deadly

Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.

- William Shakespeare

Voice, Give, Thy, Ear

An overflow of good converts to bad.

- William Shakespeare

Good, Bad, Overflow, Converts

If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?

- William Shakespeare

Revenge, Die, Poison, Bleed

O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!

- William Shakespeare

Outside, Goodly, Hath, Falsehood

Sweet are the uses of adversity which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head.

- William Shakespeare

Adversity, Precious, Which, Uses

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

- William Shakespeare

Love, Mind, Looks, Winged

This life, which had been the tomb of his virtue and of his honour, is but a walking shadow; a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

- William Shakespeare

Life, Shadow, Been, Fury

There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.

- William Shakespeare

Tide, Miseries, Afloat, Flood

Farewell, fair cruelty.

- William Shakespeare

Fair, Cruelty, Farewell

Life every man holds dear; but the dear man holds honor far more precious dear than life.

- William Shakespeare

Precious, More, Far, Dear

How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!

- William Shakespeare

How, Sharper, Than, Thankless

Alas, I am a woman friendless, hopeless!

- William Shakespeare

Woman, Alas, Friendless, Hopeless

Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me.

- William Shakespeare

Give, Robe, Immortal, Give Me

The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils.

- William Shakespeare

Moved, Concord, Nor, Spoils

Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.

- William Shakespeare

Lose, Doubts, Might, Oft

The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.

- William Shakespeare

Men, Bones, Lives, Oft

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