20 Most Famous Quotations of William Shakespeare

 

Here are 20 famous quotations from William Shakespeare, along with their source and detailed meaning:

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." - As You Like It (Act II, Scene VII) This line is spoken by the character Jacques in the play, and it refers to the idea that life is like a play or a performance, with people taking on different roles and playing their part in the grand drama of life.

"To be, or not to be, that is the question." - Hamlet (Act III, Scene I) This is one of the most famous lines in Shakespeare's works. In the play, Hamlet is contemplating the value of life and whether it is worth continuing to live in a world full of pain and suffering.

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet." - Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene II) This line is spoken by Juliet, and it reflects the idea that a person's name or label does not define their essence or character.

"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." - Twelfth Night (Act II, Scene V) This line is spoken by the character Malvolio, and it reflects the idea that greatness can come to people in different ways - through their birth, their own efforts, or even by chance.

"To thine own self be true." - Hamlet (Act I, Scene III) This line is spoken by Polonius to his son Laertes, and it advises him to be true to himself and to his own values and beliefs.

"The course of true love never did run smooth." - A Midsummer Night's Dream (Act I, Scene I) This line is spoken by the character Lysander, and it reflects the idea that love is often difficult and full of obstacles.

"All that glitters is not gold." - The Merchant of Venice (Act II, Scene VII) This line is spoken by the character Prince of Morocco, and it reflects the idea that appearances can be deceiving.

"Cowards die many times before their deaths; / The valiant never taste of death but once." - Julius Caesar (Act II, Scene II) This line is spoken by Caesar, and it reflects the idea that a coward lives in constant fear and anxiety, while a brave person is only afraid once.

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks." - Hamlet (Act III, Scene II) This line is spoken by Queen Gertrude, and it reflects the idea that when someone protests or denies something too strongly, it may actually indicate the opposite.

"Brevity is the soul of wit." - Hamlet (Act II, Scene II) This line is spoken by Polonius, and it reflects the idea that conciseness and brevity are essential for effective communication.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow." - Romeo and Juliet (Act II, Scene II) This line is spoken by Juliet, and it reflects the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to someone you love.

"All is well that ends well." - All's Well That Ends Well (Act IV, Scene IV) This line reflects the idea that as long as the end result is positive, any difficulties or hardships along the way are worthwhile.

"We are such stuff / As dreams are made on, and our little life / Is rounded with a sleep." - The Tempest (Act IV, Scene I) This line is spoken by the character Prospero, and it reflects the idea that life is like a dream and that our existence is fleeting and transitory.

"If music be the food of love, play on." - Twelfth Night (Act I, Scene I) This line is spoken by the character Duke Orsino, and it reflects the idea that music has the power to evoke strong emotions and inspire feelings of love.

"What's done cannot be undone." - Macbeth (Act V, Scene I) This line is spoken by Lady Macbeth, and it reflects the idea that once a deed is done, it cannot be undone or reversed.

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." - Hamlet (Act II, Scene II) This line is spoken by Hamlet, and it reflects the idea that our perception and interpretation of events determine whether they are good or bad.

"Hell is empty and all the devils are here." - The Tempest (Act I, Scene II) This line is spoken by the character Ariel, and it reflects the idea that evil and chaos exist even in seemingly innocent or harmless situations.

"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves." - Julius Caesar (Act I, Scene II) This line is spoken by the character Cassius, and it reflects the idea that people are responsible for their own actions and choices, rather than being predetermined by fate or destiny.

"To be wise and love / Exceeds man's might." - Troilus and Cressida (Act III, Scene II) This line is spoken by the character Troilus, and it reflects the idea that it is difficult to balance wisdom and reason with the intense emotions and passions of love.

"The quality of mercy is not strained; / It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven / Upon the place beneath." - The Merchant of Venice (Act IV, Scene I) This line is spoken by the character Portia, and it reflects the idea that mercy is a natural and compassionate response, rather than being forced or compelled.