William Shakespeare: His Quotes and Best Lines
William Shakespeare, known as one of the greatest legendary English poets and playwrights of all time, wrote some of the greatest works of literature. Shakespeare’s words have inspired generations and have been quoted more than almost any other author. While Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets and 38 plays, his quotes have captured the hearts of generations across the world. Here we will explore some of the most famous William Shakespeare quotes and lines from his works that are still relevant today.
Understanding the Relevance of William Shakespeare’s Quotes
William Shakespeare has been quoted more than any other author, and his words have played a huge role in inspiring generations. His quotes speak of the human condition, of life and death, and of love and its complexities. While many of his lines are over 400 years old, they continue to remain timeless and relevant to today’s culture.
The Benefit of Studying Shakespeare’s Best Lines
Studying the best quotes of William Shakespeare is a great way to inspire creativity and expand one’s own vocabulary. Not only can one learn how to use language better and understand why certain phrases or words may have a certain connotation,but his words also carry usefulness in everyday conversations. Understanding the emotions and context of his lines also allows for more sound judgement and more effective communication.
Some of the Best William Shakespeare Quotes
Now that we have discussed the relevance of William Shakespeare quotes, let’s look at some of his most famous quotes. Here is a list of 10 of his best quotes:
- “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” – All’s Well That Ends Well
- “This above all: to thine own self be true.” – Hamlet
- “To be, or not to be: that is the question.” – Hamlet
- “In my stars I am above thee, but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” – Twelfth Night
- “Nothing will come of nothing.” – King Lear
- “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” – Hamlet
- “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” – Twelfth Night
- “If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me.” – Macbeth
- “The course of true love never did run smooth.” – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” – Hamlet
The Meaning Behind Some of William Shakespeare’s Most Famous Quotes
No. 1: “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” – All’s Well That Ends Well
This famous quote from All’s Well That Ends Well conveys the necessity of spreading love and positivity, while also exercising caution when trusting others. It should serve as a reminder of the importance of making sure not to hurt anyone, but to spread love and hope.
No. 2: “This above all: to thine own self be true.” – Hamlet
This excerpt from Hamlet tells that one should not change who they are for anyone else but to stay true to their own values. The message of this quote reminds people to practice self-love and to focus on being authentic and moral in their own life.
No. 3: “To be, or not to be: that is the question.” – Hamlet
This excerpt, one of the most well-known quotes from Shakespeare’s works, is often misinterpreted. Taken from Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, it discusses life and death, as well as the idea that death may not be so feared as life’s uncertainties. The importance of this quote lies in the deliberation of life and mortality.
No.4: “In my stars I am above thee, but be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” – Twelfth Night
This quote from Twelfth Night tells us that greatness must be earned and it should never be feared. It serves as a reminder that no one should be afraid of success and to remain humble when it comes.
No. 5: “Nothing will come of nothing.” – King Lear
This simple quote from King Lear conveys the idea that work and effort is needed in order to achieve something. It should be kept in mind that if no attempts are made, nothing will be gained.
No. 6: “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” – Hamlet
This quote from Hamlet highlights the importance of staying open to possibilities and new opportunities that may come one’s way. It serves as a reminder of the importance of staying open-minded and taking risks in order to reach one’s potential.
No. 7: “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” – Twelfth Night
Similar to his quote from the same play, “Be not afraid of greatness”, this quote from Twelfth Night encourages people to embrace opportunities and to not be afraid of achieving greatness.
No. 8: “If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me.” – Macbeth
The importance of this quote from Macbeth lies in the idea that no one can predict the future and its many possibilities. We must take the risks and trust that things will turn out the way they were meant to.
No. 9: “The course of true love never did run smooth.” – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
This insightful quote from A Midsummer Night’s Dream serves as a reminder that relationships are never perfect. Love is hard, and it needs work and dedication in order to remain strong. No relationship is worry-free and this quote serves as a reminder of that.
No. 10: “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” – Hamlet
This quote from Hamlet reminds us of that old adage that if someone is protesting too much they might actually be hiding something. It serves to remind us to remain skeptical, question statements, and to make sure to find the truth.
Why We Should Continue to Study William Shakespeare’s Quotes
William Shakespeare has written some of the most memorable quotes in the English language that are relevant to this day. His quotes are timeless and connote many different themes and ideas. Many of these quotes are still relevant to today’s society and understanding their meaning can help us be better communicators and gain insight into our own lives.
Studying Shakespeare’s quotes can help us understand our emotions better, apply his words to our own experiences, and understand why certain phrases and words may have a certain connotation. His quotes serve as a reminder of why we should not be afraid of greatness, to stay true to our own beliefs, to understand the uncertainty of life, and to take risks. William Shakespeare’s quotes are timeless, and we are still learning and benefiting from the wisdom that has been contained within them for generations.
