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
She says I am not fair, that I lack manners;_x000D_ _x000D_ She calls me proud, and that she could not love me,_x000D_ _x000D_ Were man as rare as Phoenix.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The speaker reflects on being judged and misunderstood in matters of love.
In this quote from Shakespeare, the speaker laments how their beloved perceives them as unworthy of love due to perceived flaws and pride. The mention of the 'Phoenix' suggests a sense of rarity and uniqueness, implying that true love and appreciation for individuality are hard to find, similar to the mythical bird that is reborn from its ashes.
Themes
LoveJudgmentPridePerceptionSelf-Worth
In practice
Example use cases
In a romantic setting when discussing the complexities of love and self-image.
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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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Think about it, there must be higher love Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above Without it, life is a wasted time Look inside your heart, I'll look inside mine.
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