Shakespeare quotes denote many of life’s experiences in the face of adversity, unfortunately, mostly the tragic ones. These Shakespeare quotes come at a time of disillusionment and despair, revelation and resolution to what is. These quotations take on a defiance of the consequences of being true to oneself and standing firm in ones own decision, to be admired for one’s strong convictions or condemned as stupidity for not listening to reason. Yet there is a lesson to be learned from the circumstances these Shakespeare quotes offer as we shall see with the following excerpts from his most famous plays.
I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix’d and resting quality
There is no fellow in the firmament.”
Here Caesar delivers a speech after defying three warnings that his life would be threatening if he went to the Senate. Caesar denies the noblemen’s request to reconsider the banishment of Publius Climber and will not change his mind in this steadfast choice of Shakespeare quotes. He continues on to compare himself to the brightest star of all. His ego grows stronger with each word. He finally crosses the line when he dares to compare himself to an Olympian god, and that is when the attack begins. The same men, who were begging for a repeal of Cimber’s banishment, make good on their word and stab him to death. What a tragedy. It seems their words fell on deaf ears and he was doomed to die.
“How poor are they that have not patience!
What wound did ever heal but by degrees?
Thou know’st we work by wit, and not by witchcraft;
And wit depends on dilatory time.”
Iago a notable villain, tries to convince Roderigo to remain in Cypress where his evil plot is about to take place. After Roderigo’s love interest elopes with Othello, Iago feigns to support him in winning her back but in the end robs him of his money. But Roderigo is impatient, and plans to return to Venice instead. Impatience is the downfall of many of Shakespeare’s characters.
One of the most famous Shakespeare quotes ever uttered in literature, “Et tu, Brute?” meaning even you, Brutus? This most familiar of Shakespeare quotes has been revisited throughout history to mean the ultimate betrayal by one’s closest friend. This scene, in which the conspirators in the Senate assassinate Caesar, is one of the most dramatic moments on the Shakespearean stage. Appalled at the arrogance of a ruler who has sought to become a monarch, but ends up comparing himself to the gods, engages conspirators who seek his demise. Brutus, a friend of Caesar but a man who loves Rome more, then joins the conspirators in his assassination. A betrayal of a friend’s loyalty is captured by this most heartfelt of Shakespeare quotes.
To find more Shakespeare quotes you can go to www.e-notes.com but please read their privacy policy before releasing any personal information.