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Vile worm, thou wast o'erlook'd even in thy birth.
William Shakespeare
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects a disdain for someone perceived as worthless or insignificant from the outset.

In this quote, Shakespeare expresses a strong contempt for an individual, suggesting that their very existence was a mistake, as they were considered insignificant even at the moment of their birth. This evokes themes of societal hierarchies and the worth assigned to individuals based on perceptions of value and importance.

Themes

WorthlessnessContemptInsignificanceValueBirth

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about character development in literature, one might use this quote to illustrate a character's feelings of worthlessness.

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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).
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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