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
Titus Andronicus, my lord the Emperor_x000D_ _x000D_ Sends thee this word, that, if thou love thy sons,_x000D_ _x000D_ Let Marcus, Lucius, or thyself, old Titus,_x000D_ _x000D_ Or any one of you, chop off your hand_x000D_ _x000D_ And send it to the King: he for the same_x000D_ _x000D_ Will send thee hither both thy sons alive,_x000D_ _x000D_ And that shall be the ransom for their fault.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the depth of a father's love and the lengths he is willing to go to save his sons.
In this poignant quote from William Shakespeare's 'Titus Andronicus', a father's love is emphasized through an extreme proposition: sacrificing one's hand to save his sons. It underscores the idea that true love often involves making profound sacrifices, showcasing the desperate measures a parent might undertake to protect their children from harm.
In practice
In a discussion on parental sacrifice, this quote can elevate the conversation about what parents are willing to give up for their children.
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).
Love 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.
Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself.
It is unearned love--the love that goes before, that greets us on the way. It's the help you receive when you have no bright ideas left, when you are empty and desperate and have discovered that your best thinking and most charming charm have failed you. Grace is the light or electricity or juice or breeze that takes you from that isolated place and puts you with others who are as startled and embarrassed and eventually grateful as you are to be there.
I could have waited years, now that I knew the end of the story. I was cold and wet and very happy. I could even look with charity towards the altar and the figure dangling there. She loves us both, I thought, but if there is to be a conflict between an image and a man, I know who will win. I could put my hand on her thigh or my mouth on her breast; he was imprisoned behind the altar and couldn't move to plead his cause.
Lovers lying two and two Ask not whom they sleep beside, And the bridegroom all night through Never turns him to the bride.
I arise from dreams of thee, And a spirit in my feet Has led me- who knows how? To thy chamber-window, Sweet!
Love is a well from which we can drink only as much as we have put in, and the stars that shine from it are only our eyes looking in.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.