Yes, madam: yet I cannot choose but laugh, To think it…
““Yes, madam: yet I cannot choose but laugh, To think it should leave crying and say 'Ay.' And yet, I warrant, it had upon its brow A bump as big as a young cockerel's stone; A parlous knock; and it cried bitterly: 'Yea,' quoth my husband,'fall'st upon thy face? Thou wilt fall backward when thou comest to age; Wilt thou not, Jule?' it stinted and said 'Ay.””
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 reflects on the absurdity of aging and the inevitable decline, juxtaposing laughter with sorrow to highlight life's paradoxes.
In simple terms: Aging is both comic and tragic.
Key Takeaway
Life's contradictions become clearer with age.
Themes
mortality
humor
paradox
inevitability
human condition
Mood
melancholic
wry
thoughtful
Type
aphoristic
dramatic
contemplative
When to use this quote
- contemplating personal aging
- discussing life's ironies
- reflecting on generational change
Key Concepts
aging
contradiction
laughter
sorrow
Practical Applications
- philosophical essays on aging
- creative writing exploring paradox
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humor change our perception of decline?
- What does the 'bump' symbolize in life's journey?