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
Full fathom five thy father lies;_x000D_ Of his bones are coral made;_x000D_ Those are pearls that were his eyes;_x000D_ Nothing of him that doth fade,_x000D_ But doth suffer a sea-change_x000D_ Into something rich and strange._x000D_ Sea-nymphs hourly ring his knell:_x000D_ Ding-dong._x000D_ Hark! now I hear them β Ding-dong, bell.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on transformation and the enduring nature of a person's essence after death.
In this quote from William Shakespeare, the imagery evokes the idea of death and rebirth, suggesting that while a person may physically fade away, their essence can transform into something beautiful and mysterious. The reference to coral and pearls symbolizes a metamorphosis, illustrating how life and death are intrinsically linked, and how memories and legacies can change form but remain ever-present in nature.
Themes
TransformationDeathEssenceMemoryLegacy
In practice
Example use cases
In a eulogy to celebrate someone's life and its impact.
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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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