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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.
William Shakespeare
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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

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).
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Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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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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