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.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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