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
Grim-visaged war hath smoothed his wrinkled front; _x000D_ _x000D_ And now, instead of mounting barbed steeds _x000D_ _x000D_ To fright the souls of fearful adversaries, _x000D_ _x000D_ He capers nimbly in a lady's chamber _x000D_ _x000D_ To the lascivious pleasing of a lute.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The harshness of war has changed the nature of those who engage in it, leading them to seek different pursuits.
This quote by Shakespeare reflects on the transformation brought about by war, suggesting that its brutal nature has refined and altered those who participate in it. Instead of continuing in their roles as fearsome warriors, they find themselves in more delicate and sensual environments, highlighting a contrast between the violence of war and the pleasures of life beyond it.
Themes
WarTransformationLifePeaceSensuality
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the impacts of war on soldiers' mental states.
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