When I read Shakespeare I am struck with wonder That such trivial people should muse and thunder In such lovely language.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker marvels that ordinary people use beautiful language to express deep thoughts.
- In plain terms
- Ordinary people speak beautifully about big ideas.
- What can you take from it?
- Beautiful language elevates simple people.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes language lovely?
- Are people truly trivial?
Another view
It might overstate how many people actually do this.
More from William Shakespeare
Shakespeare is not our poet, but the world's; Therefore on him no speech!
Permalink to quote #47 The verbal poetic texture of Shakespeare is the greatest the world has known, and is immensely superior to the structure of his plays as plays.
Permalink to quote #49 Shakespeare led a life of Allegory; his works are the comments on it.
Permalink to quote #46
Related quotes
I loathe the expression 'What makes him tick.' It is the American mind, looking for simple and singular solution, that uses the foolish expression. A person no…
James ThurberJames Thurber quote #67 The folly of mistaking a paradox for a discovery, a metaphor for a proof, a torrent of verbiage for a spring of capital truths, and oneself for an oracle, is i…
Paul ValeryPaul Valery quote #1 Action is the highest perfection and drawing forth of the utmost power, vigor, and activity of man's nature.
Robert SouthRobert South quote #1