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
Then is courtesy a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted: and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart; for, truly, I love none. Beatrice: A dear happiness to women: they would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank God and my cold blood, I am of your humour for that: I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me. -Much Ado About Nothing
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the complexities of love and the notion of courtesy in relationships.
In this exchange from 'Much Ado About Nothing', the characters express a cynical view of love and courtship. Beatrice's witty remarks highlight her disdain for unwanted suitors and her preference for independence over insincere flattery, while also emphasizing her strength in rejecting societal norms that expect women to accept any declaration of love.
Themes
LoveCourtesyRelationshipsIndependenceHumor
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used to spark a discussion on the nature of love in a literature class.
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It was an evil doom that set her in his path. For she is a fair maiden, fairest lady of a house of queens. And yet I know not how I should speak of her. When I first looked on her and perceived her unhappiness, it seemed to me that I saw a white flower standing straight and proud, shapely as a lily and yet knew that it was hard, as if wrought by elf-wrights out of steel.
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