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
Help, master, help! here's a fish hangs in the net, like a poor man's right in the law; 'twill hardly come out.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the struggle and entrapment of those who seek justice or help, often feeling powerless in their situations.
In this quote, Shakespeare uses the metaphor of a fish caught in a net to illustrate how individuals can find themselves ensnared by societal laws and expectations, much like a poor man feels trapped by the complexities of justice and legality. The plea for help underscores the feeling of helplessness and the desire for liberation from these constraints, suggesting that often those in need are unable to extricate themselves without assistance.
Themes
JusticeHelpEntrapmentLawHelplessness
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about social justice, one might use this quote to emphasize the challenges faced by marginalized individuals.
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