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
She's beautiful, and therefore to be wooed; She is a woman, therefore to be won.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the idea that beauty attracts attention, and women may be sought for both admiration and affection.
In this quote, Shakespeare highlights the dual nature of a woman's beauty and essence. He suggests that a woman's beauty makes her an object of desire, prompting pursuit ('to be wooed'), while acknowledging her identity and the need for deeper connection and emotional resonance that comes with nurturing a relationship ('to be won'). It reflects the dynamics of romantic interactions and the importance of both attraction and emotional engagement.
Themes
BeautyLoveWomanDesireRomance
In practice
Example use cases
In a wedding speech, to describe the beauty and charm of the bride.
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