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
You're in love? Out Out of love? I love someone. She doesn't love me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the complex emotions of unrequited love.
In this quote, Shakespeare encapsulates the pain and conflict of love, highlighting the feelings of being in love juxtaposed with the reality of unreciprocated affection. It speaks to the bittersweet nature of love, where one's deep feelings are not returned, leading to a sense of isolation and longing.
Themes
LoveUnrequitedAffectionPainLonging
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a romantic film to express the character's struggle with love.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes βLove bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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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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Come not, when I am dead, To drop thy foolish tears upon my grave, To trample round my fallen head, And vex the unhappy dust thou wouldst not save. There let the wind sweep and the plover cry; But thou, go by. Child, if it were thine error or thy crime I care no longer, being all unblest; Wed whom thou wilt, but I am sick of Time, And I desire to rest. Pass on, weak heart, and leave me where I lie: Go by, go by.
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