Either to die the death or to abjure For ever the society…
“Either to die the death or to abjure For ever the society of men. Therefore, fair Hermia, question your desires; Know of your youth, examine well your blood, Whether, if you yield not to your father's choice, You can endure the livery of a nun, For aye to be in shady cloister mew'd, To live a barren sister all your life, Chanting faint hymns to the cold fruitless moon. Thrice-blessed they that master so their blood, To undergo such maiden pilgrimage; But earthlier happy is the rose distill'd, Than that which withering on the virgin thorn Grows, lives and dies in single blessedness.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A young woman faces a choice between marriage imposed by her father and a religious life, each demanding personal sacrifice.
In simple terms: Choosing between forced marriage and a convent life.
Key Takeaway
Weigh personal desires against imposed duties.
Themes
love
duty
identity
freedom
religion
Mood
conflicted
reflective
Type
dramatic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family expectations
- marriage decisions
- religious vocation
- personal autonomy
Key Concepts
autonomy
sacrifice
social pressure
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you choose if forced between love and duty?
- How does society shape our definitions of happiness?
A Different Perspective
The quote idealizes self‑sacrifice, ignoring the value of personal agency.