Famous quote by William Shakespeare

"Teach not thy lip such scorn, for it was made For kissing, lady, not for such contempt"

About this Quote

This quote is from William Shakespeare's play "Richard III". It reflects styles of beauty, femininity, and the nature of human interaction. Here, the character is dealing with a woman, prompting her not to reveal contempt through her lips-- an organ traditionally associated with inflammation and affection, as represented by kissing. This line exposes Shakespeare's expedition of the duality of human expression and the concept that the parts of the body, consisting of the lips, have fundamental functions or associations, which exist in contrast to the emotions they sometimes show.

In Shakespeare's works, lips are frequently symbolic of interaction and affection. By identifying them as "produced kissing", Shakespeare highlights their role in revealing love and intimacy, and by extension, the concept that their natural state is among softness and affection, not reject or disdain. The speaker's interest "teach not thy lip such refuse" recommends a desire to see the lady embrace softness and heat in her attitude, reflecting societal expectations of ladies at the time to be gentle and caring.

In addition, the juxtaposition of kissing and contempt underscores the stress in between appearance and reality, a repeating style in Shakespeare's plays. The line suggests that while a person's outside manifestations might appear scornful, the real function and capacity of those expressions lean towards generosity and love. Here, the lips work as a metaphor for individuals's capacity to choose the emotions they want to convey, echoing the more comprehensive human ability to choose in between love and refuse in their interactions.

The characterization of lips as inherently tender likewise carries ramifications about gender dynamics and power, as the woman is subtly admonished to align with traditionally womanly qualities. The interaction in between expression and expectation is central to understanding the relationships and conflicts in Shakespeare's stories, where the tension in between one's outward demeanor and inner feelings regularly drives the plot and character development.

About the Author

William Shakespeare This quote is written / told by William Shakespeare between April 26, 1564 and April 23, 1616. He was a famous Dramatist from England. The author also have 172 other quotes.
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