Now tell me how long you would have her after you have…
““Now tell me how long you would have her after you have possessed her. ORLANDO Forever and a day. ROSALIND Say “a day” without the “ever.” No, no, Orlando, men are April when they woo, December when they wed. Maids are May when they are maids, but the sky changes when they are wives. I will be more jealous of thee than a Barbary cock- pigeon over his hen, more clamorous than a parrot against rain, more newfangled than an ape, more giddy in my desires than a monkey. I will weep for nothing, like Diana in the fountain, and I will do that when you are disposed to be merry. I will laugh like a hyena, and that when thou art inclined to sleep.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker uses vivid, seasonal metaphors to express intense, shifting emotions about love and jealousy, highlighting how feelings evolve with circumstances.
In simple terms: Love changes with time and circumstance.
Key Takeaway
Accept that emotions fluctuate.
Themes
love
jealousy
change
seasonality
metaphor
Mood
dramatic
reflective
Type
literary
theatrical
When to use this quote
- courtship
- marriage
- conflict
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
emotional volatility
romantic idealism
social roles
Questions to Reflect On
- How do your feelings change with circumstances?
- Can jealousy be a sign of deep affection?
A Different Perspective
Emotions can be unstable and contradictory.