QuoteProject
They are fairies; he that speaks to them shall die. I'll wink and couch; no man their works must eye.
William Shakespeare
ShareWTF𝕏

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

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
Love 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

The art, the greatness of the music, the experience of the music is what I'm about. I think most African artists have destroyed their artistry by commercialization, and I don't want to belong to that bag.
Fela KutiRead
I believe entertainment can aspire to be art, and can become art, but if you set out to make art you're an idiot.
Steve MartinRead
What we [writers] do might be done in solitude and with great desperation, but it tends to produce exactly the opposite. It tends to produce community and in many people hope and joy.
Junot DiazRead
I really don't know what exactly all the songs mean. Sometimes other people have meanings and when I hear them I think, 'That's really a better meaning than I thought, and perfectly valid, given the words that exist.' So part of what makes a song really good is that people take in different meanings, and they apply them, and they might be more powerful than the ones I'm thinking.
Paul SimonRead
Dance is for everybody. I believe that the dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people.
Alvin AileyRead
For me, music is always the language which permits one to converse with the Beyond.
Robert SchumannRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.