10 quotes by Shakespeare that define the highs and lows of life

Mar 24, 2025 etimes.in

Shakespeare's quotes on life

Shakespeare was a true master of words for he had the perfect lines to convey an array of emotions. From love in his sonnets, to betrayal in his plays, Shakespeare conveyed it all. And here are 10 lines from his works that define different emotions of life. canva

On existential crisis

One of the most famous lines from Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet�?is “To be, or not to be: that is the question�? It defines a moment of existential crisis as the character contemplates. canva

On love and admiration

Another beautiful and famous line from Shakespeare’s Sonnet is “Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and temperate�? Shakespeare compares his love to a lovely summer day, lush and beautiful all around. canva

On the identity of love

A line from Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet�? “What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet". It is the perfect line to define anyone’s lover’s identity for to them they are the epitome of a rose. canva

On changing faces

Another iconic line from ‘Romeo and Juliet�? “O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circled orb�?was said by Juliet as she defined the changing and fleeting nature. canva

On the impermanence of life

A quote from ‘As You Like It�?by Shakespeare, “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players�?is a remark on the impermanence of life and the roles we play in people’s lives. canva

On being moral and right

A line from ‘Hamlet�? “To thine own self be true�?is the perfect quote to depict the feelings of morality, righteousness, and integrity for oneself. canva

On changing natures

A comment on love and the sign of long lasting love is this line from Sonnet 116. It says “Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds�? canva

On betrayal

A line that perfectly sums up the feeling of betrayal and anger is “How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!�?from ‘King Lear�? canva

On jealousy

A line from ‘Othello�?that perfectly defines the anger and downsides of jealousy is "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock / The meat it feeds on". canva

On rays of hope

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world�?is from ‘Merchant of Venice�?and shows people the power of a single ray of hope and how it can illuminate even the saddest land. canva

Next: 10 most famous authors who died painful deaths

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