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).
Now see that noble and most sovereign reason, Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the discordance between reason and emotion, suggesting that our rational thoughts can sometimes be unpleasantly intertwined with chaotic feelings.
In this quote, Shakespeare illustrates the struggle between reason and the chaotic nature of emotions. By comparing reason to 'sweet bells jangled,' he conveys the idea that while reason is inherently noble and essential, it can become dissonant and harsh when influenced by tumultuous emotions, much like music that is out of tune. This speaks to the human experience of having our rational thoughts disrupted by feelings that cloud or distort our understanding.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about emotional intelligence, one might quote this to illustrate the conflict between rational thought and feelings.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes βLove bears it out even to the edge of doom.
Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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