William Shakespeare is acclaimed as the greatest writer in English language and a colossus among literary figures in world literature. He has created immortal plays and poems called sonnets. All these are packed with quotes that are pearls of wisdom.
Love and romance are major themes in most of his plays and his sonnets. All these are enriched by memorable lines that have become quotable quotes. His thoughts and feelings about love and life were expressed centuries ago. But they remain relevant to our life and to touch our hearts. That is power and impact of the love quotes by Shakespeare.
Shakespeare and treatment of love:
Love is an indispensable human sentiment that cannot be easily defined in words. It has to be personally experienced. But great writers of the stature of Shakespeare can capture such sentiments in memorable words and lines through lovers who appear as characters in his plays.
Shakespeare stands tall among great writers of the world in the treatment of all human emotions including love. This is very evident from the unforgettable and lasting lines of love quotes by Shakespeare.
Love quotes from the Comedies:
In Shakespeare’s romantic comedies like ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, and ‘Merchant of Venice’, he provokes laughter at human behavior including love and presents a happy ending.
But is not straightforward movement towards happiness. For example in ‘Twelfth Night’, romantic love is the main focus, but its path is paved with pain and confusion through a complex of love triangles.
The treatment is thus complex but ultimately the writer celebrates true love that ends in marriage. That is how we have so many well known and delightful love quotes by Shakespeare.
Love Quotes Shakespeare’s Tragedies:
In his tragedies, romantic love frequently ends in death of the lovers. But there is something noble an enriching in its treatment. It is presented as courageous and unconditional. For example, the heroine of his famous tragedies, Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Desdemona (Othello), and Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra), are portrayed as selfless women who do not hesitate to surrender themselves unconditionally to their beloveds. These situations have given the readers great love quotes of Shakespeare.
Love quotes from his sonnets (poems):
Apart from his famous plays, Shakespeare wrote special poems called sonnets. These have 14 lines with the first 8 lines presenting a problem and the next 6 lines presents its resolution. Most of these sonnets present different facets of love in all its tenderness.
In some sonnets these Shakespeare characterizes love as mortal and physically beautiful. The concept of love at first sight. He often describes love as a passion that ignites the heart, mind and all our senses. No wonder we have innumerable love quotes of Shakespeare in these sonnets that we still admire.
Shakespeare treated love in all its depth and intensity. What is special about his quotes on love is that they are never repetitive. Even similar ideas are conveyed in fresh words and style. That makes these lines truly memorable. Surely, the interesting, witty, thought provoking love quotes of Shakespeare will remain etched in our minds for ages.
