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
They are fairies; he that speaks to them shall die. I'll wink and couch; no man their works must eye.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote references the elusive and dangerous nature of fairies, suggesting that those who meddle with them may face dire consequences.
In this quote, Shakespeare articulates the idea that fairies, often seen as enchanting yet treacherous, possess a magical influence that is both alluring and perilous. The imagery of speaking to them leading to death underscores the notion that some realms, particularly those of art and fantasy, require caution and respect, as they hold powers beyond human understanding. The speaker's intention to remain unnoticed ('I'll wink and couch') indicates a desire to engage with this magic only from a safe distance, highlighting the complex relationship between humanity and the enchanting but dangerous forces of nature and creativity.
Themes
FairiesMagicDangerArtShakespeare
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the themes of fantasy in literature.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes βLove 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 tell you before God, and as an honest man, your son (W A Mozart)is the greatest composer known to me by person and repute, he has taste and what is more the greatest skill in composition.
Joseph HaydnRead
I think something that every actor wants, whether they've done four movies or forty movies, is they want to find the work interesting. You want to come to work and think this is going to be a challenge.
Taika WaititiRead
To write honestly and with all our powers is the least we can do, and the most.
Eudora WeltyRead
Photographers are always imposing
Susan SontagRead
There's this inherent screenplay structure that everyone seems to be stuck on, this three-act thing. It doesn't really interest me. To me, it's kind of like saying, 'Well, when you do a painting, you always need to have sky here, the person here and the ground here.' Well, you don't.
Charlie KaufmanRead
Music is the best means we have of digesting time.
W. H. AudenRead