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
We cannot fight for love, as men may do; we shou'd be woo'd, and were not made to woo
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that love should be pursued gently rather than aggressively, emphasizing the importance of being courted.
In this quote from William Shakespeare, the speaker reflects on the nature of love, arguing that it should not be a battle to win, as one might do in war. Instead, love should involve mutual attraction and gentle persuasion, where one party is courted rather than pursuing the other actively. This highlights a more passive and receptive approach to romantic relationships.
Themes
LoveCourtshipWooRelationshipsRomance
In practice
Example use cases
When giving a speech about romance, this quote could illustrate the idea of gentle courtship.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes βLove 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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