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
Sweet love! Sweet lines! Sweet life! Here is her hand, the agent of her heart; Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the joy and sweetness of love while highlighting the importance of commitment and honor in a romantic relationship.
In this quote, Shakespeare emphasizes the beauty and sweetness of love as he reflects on the deep connection between two individuals. He portrays love as a sacred bond that encompasses gestures of affection, commitment, and the honor held within the relationship. The agent of her heart symbolizes trust, while the mention of her oath emphasizes the seriousness of their love, suggesting that true love is both joyous and grounded in respect and integrity.
Themes
LoveCommitmentHonorSweetnessRelationship
In practice
Example use cases
In a wedding speech to celebrate the couple's love and commitment.
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