What Are The Famous Quotes From Shakespeare?
William Shakespeare is one of the most renowned playwrights of all time. His works have been performed, studied, and admired since the late 16th century. His plays are full of memorable quotes that have become part of our everyday language. Here are some of the most famous quotes from Shakespeare.
One of Shakespeare’s most famous plays is Romeo and Juliet. This tragic love story has some of the most iconic quotes of all time.
“My only love sprung from my only hate!” – Juliet
“Parting is such sweet sorrow.” – Juliet
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” – Juliet
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” – Juliet
“O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?” – Juliet
Hamlet is another of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. It contains some of the most famous quotes in literature.
“To be, or not to be: that is the question.” – Hamlet
“Brevity is the soul of wit.” – Hamlet
“Neither a borrower nor a lender be.” – Polonius
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” – Queen Gertrude
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” – Marcellus
Macbeth is another of Shakespeare’s tragedies. It has some of the most famous lines in the English language.
“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble.” – Three Witches
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” – Three Witches
“Out, out, brief candle!” – Macbeth
“It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” – Macbeth
“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day.” – Macbeth
Shakespeare wrote many other plays. Here are some of the most famous quotes from his other works.
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” – As You Like It
“If music be the food of love, play on.” – Twelfth Night
“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” – All’s Well That Ends Well
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on.” – The Tempest
“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” – As You Like It
William Shakespeare’s works have been studied and performed for centuries. His plays are full of memorable quotes that have become part of our everyday language. From Romeo and Juliet to Macbeth, these quotes are some of the most famous in literature. Whether you are a fan of the Bard or just looking for some great quotes to use in your own writing, these quotes from Shakespeare are sure to inspire.
1. Introduction
William Shakespeare is one of the most iconic and influential playwrights of all time. His works have been adapted into countless films, plays, and other media, and his words and stories continue to inspire and influence generations of people around the world. His plays are known for their wit, intelligence, and insight into the human condition, and his quotes are often quoted and remembered for their timeless wisdom. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most famous quotes from Shakespeare’s works, including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and many other plays. We’ll also discuss how these quotes have been used in popular culture and how they can be applied to our lives today.
2. Quotes From Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, and it has left us with some of the most memorable quotes ever written. Here are some of the most famous quotes from Romeo and Juliet:
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” – Juliet
This quote is one of the most famous lines from the play and speaks to the idea that a name does not change the essence of a person or thing.
“O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?” – Juliet
This quote is another well-known line from the play and speaks to Juliet’s yearning for Romeo, and the fact that she is unable to be with him because of their family’s feud.
“Parting is such sweet sorrow.” – Juliet
This quote is a perfect example of oxymoron, as Juliet is expressing the idea that something can be both sweet and sorrowful.
“A plague o’ both your houses!” – Mercutio
This quote is spoken by Mercutio in the heat of the moment as he is dying and blaming the two families for his death.
“For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo.” – Chorus
This quote is spoken by the Chorus at the end of the play and speaks to the tragedy that has unfolded between the two lovers.
“My only love sprung from my only hate!” – Juliet
This quote speaks to the fact that Juliet’s love for Romeo is born out of her hatred for his family.
“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” – Juliet
This quote is similar to the first one mentioned, but it speaks to the idea that the essence of something does not change, regardless of what it is called.
3. Quotes From Hamlet
Quotes From Hamlet
One of the most famous plays written by William Shakespeare is Hamlet. It is a tragedy that follows the journey of the titular character, Prince Hamlet, as he attempts to avenge his father’s death. The play is full of memorable and thought-provoking quotes that have been quoted and referenced countless times since it was first performed. Here are some of the most famous quotes from Hamlet:
- “To be, or not to be: that is the question.”
This is arguably the most famous quote from the play, and is spoken by Hamlet as he is contemplating suicide. He is debating whether it is better to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles and end them.
- “This above all: to thine own self be true.”
This quote is spoken by Polonius to his son Laertes as he is giving him advice before he leaves for France. It is a reminder to be honest and true to oneself, even if it means going against the grain.
- “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.”
This quote is spoken by Polonius to his son Laertes as he is giving him advice before he leaves for France. It is a reminder to be wary of borrowing and lending money, as it can lead to trouble.
- “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”
This quote is spoken by Queen Gertrude in response to the Player Queen’s protestations of love for her husband. It is a reminder to not overstate one’s emotions, as it can be seen as insincere.
- “The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.”
This quote is spoken by Hamlet as he is planning to use a play to reveal the truth of his father’s death. It is a reminder to use any means necessary to reveal the truth, even if it means going against the grain.
These are just a few of the many famous quotes from Hamlet. They show the depth of the play and the insight that Shakespeare had into human nature. They also serve as a reminder to be true to oneself and to use any means necessary to reveal the truth.
4. Quotes From Macbeth
One of William Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, Macbeth is filled with memorable quotes that have become part of everyday language. Here are some of the most famous quotes from Macbeth:
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
This famous line from Act 1, Scene 1 of Macbeth is spoken by the Three Witches as they prepare to meet Macbeth. It sets the tone for the play by introducing the theme of the conflict between good and evil.
“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well it were done quickly.”
This quote is spoken by Macbeth in Act 1, Scene 7 as he contemplates killing King Duncan. It reflects Macbeth’s inner turmoil as he struggles with the idea of committing a great evil.
“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”
This quote is spoken by Lady Macbeth in Act 5, Scene 1 as she is tormented by guilt over her involvement in the murder of King Duncan. It reflects her mental anguish and her inability to escape her feelings of guilt.
“What’s done is done.”
This quote is spoken by Macbeth in Act 3, Scene 2 as he reflects on the consequences of his actions. It reflects his resignation to the fact that he cannot undo what he has done and must face the consequences.
“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.”
This quote is spoken by Macbeth in Act 5, Scene 5 as he contemplates the futility of life. It reflects his despair at the thought that life is meaningless and that all we can do is wait for death.
These famous quotes from Macbeth demonstrate the power of Shakespeare’s words and their ability to capture the universal themes of ambition, guilt, and the struggle between good and evil. They continue to resonate with readers and audiences centuries after they were first written.
5. Quotes From Other Plays
Quotes From Other Plays
Shakespeare’s plays are full of memorable quotes, and many of them come from his other plays. Here are some of the most famous quotes from his other works:
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players” – As You Like It
“To thine own self be true” – Hamlet
“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none” – All’s Well That Ends Well
“If music be the food of love, play on” – Twelfth Night
“The course of true love never did run smooth” – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
“Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once” – Julius Caesar
“The better part of valour is discretion” – King Henry IV
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt” – Measure for Measure
“The empty vessel makes the loudest sound” – The Merchant of Venice
“The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream” – The Tempest
These quotes from Shakespeare’s other plays show the timelessness of his writing. They are still relevant today and can be applied to our lives in a variety of ways. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or just want to appreciate the beauty of his words, these quotes are sure to give you pause.
6. Conclusion
William Shakespeare is one of the most famous playwrights and poets of all time. His works have been studied for centuries and his words are still quoted today. His plays are filled with memorable lines and quotes that have been repeated throughout the years. Whether it’s a line from Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, or one of his other plays, Shakespeare’s words have the power to move and inspire. From “To be, or not to be” to “Parting is such sweet sorrow”, Shakespeare’s quotes are timeless and have been quoted by many throughout the centuries. His works will continue to be studied and enjoyed by generations to come.