As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
William ShakespeareRead
When daisies pied and violets blue And lady-smocks all silver-white And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue Do paint the meadows with delight, The cuckoo then, on every tree, Mocks married men; for thus sings he, Cuckoo; Cuckoo, cuckoo; O, word of fear, Unpleasing to a married ear.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the transition of seasons and the mocking nature of love and marriage.
In this quote, Shakespeare uses vivid imagery of spring flowers to symbolize the beauty and delight of love. However, he juxtaposes this with the cuckoo's call, which is associated with unfaithfulness and mockery towards married men, hinting at the complexities and fears that can accompany romantic relationships, especially after the initial bliss fades.
Themes
LoveMarriageNatureMockerySpring
In practice
Example use cases
During a wedding toast, one might quote this to humorously address the realities of marriage.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes →Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
William ShakespeareRead
Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
William ShakespeareRead
Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
William ShakespeareRead
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
William ShakespeareRead
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
William ShakespeareRead
Similar quotes
I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each other's dreams, we can play together all night.
Bill WattersonRead
I live my life with love. I live my life with compassion. I live my life hoping the best for absolutely everyone, no matter how they feel about me. And when you live that way, it's amazing how beautiful every day can be.
Anne HathawayRead
He would not let her go. Even though, staring into her open eyes in the swirling salt-filled water, with sun flashing though each wave, he thought he would like this moment to be forever: the dark-haired woman on shore calling for their safety, the girl who had once jumped rope like a queen, now holding him with a fierceness that matched the power of the ocean—oh, insane, ludicrous, unknowable world! Look how she wanted to live, look how she wanted to hold on.
Elizabeth StroutRead
I don't really need to stand out, there's room for everyone. Although I haven't built a niche yet, I'm just writing love songs.
AdeleRead
People think love is an emotion. Love is good sense.
Ken KeseyRead
Thus you may understand that love alone is the true seed of every merit in you, and of all acts for which you must atone.
Dante AlighieriRead