---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Can he love her? Can the soul really be…"
description: "\"Can he love her? Can the soul really be satisfied with such polite affections? To love is to burn - to be on fire, like Juliet or Guinevere or Eloise....."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/emma-thompson-3232_affection_can-he-love-her-can-the-soul-really-be-s_1710790.png"
---

#  Can he love her? Can the soul really be satisfied with…

![“Can he love her? Can the soul really be satisfied with such polite affections? To love is to burn - to be on fire, like Juliet or Guinevere or Eloise...” quote by Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/emma-thompson-3232_affection_can-he-love-her-can-the-soul-really-be-s_1710790.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/emma-thompson-3232_affection_can-he-love-her-can-the-soul-really-be-s_1710790.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/emma-thompson-3232_affection_can-he-love-her-can-the-soul-really-be-s_1710790.png)

> “Can he love her? Can the soul really be satisfied with such polite affections? To love is to burn - to be on fire, like Juliet or Guinevere or Eloise...”

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Love is an intense, consuming fire, akin to legendary romantic figures.

**In simple terms:** Love burns like fire.

Key Takeaway

Seek passionate, authentic love.

Themes

romance passion intensity

Mood

dramatic thoughtful

Type

literary emotional

When to use this quote

- courtship
- creative writing
- relationship counseling
- theatrical performance

Key Concepts

Literary archetypes emotional depth psychology of love

Questions to Reflect On

- What does love mean to you?
- Can love be both gentle and fierce?

A Different Perspective

Intense passion may lead to volatility.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Affection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affection/) [Affections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affections/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Juliet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/juliet/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Polite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polite/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/)

## Related quotes

> [There is a time for risky love. There is a time for extravagant gestures. There is a time to pour out your affections on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/there-is-a-time-for-risky-love-there-is-a-time-for-extravagant/)

[Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/)

> [“Dear Claire, "What" and "If" are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lise-friedman/dear-claire-what-and-if-are-two-words-as-non-threatening-as-words-can/)

Lise Friedman

> [If Shakespeare would have Facebook.. It would be like: Juliet is in a relationship and its complicated.. And guess who would be first to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kand3n/if-shakespeare-would-have-facebook-it-would-be-like-juliet-is-in-a/)

[Kand3n](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kand3n/)

> [If you want a Romeo start acting like a Juliet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/if-you-want-a-romeo-start-acting-like-a-juliet/)

[Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/)

> [You're in a rather odd mood today." I'm soaking wet, Eloise." No need to snap at me about it, I didn't force you to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/you-re-in-a-rather-odd-mood-today-i-m-soaking-wet-eloise-no-need-to/)

[Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/)

> [Eloiseis getting married as well.” “Eloise?” Michael asked with some surprise. “Was she even being courted by anyone?” “No,” Francesca said, quickly flipping to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/eloiseis-getting-married-as-well-eloise-michael-asked-with-some/)

[Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/)

> [And what renders him so unmarriageable?” Eloise asked. Francesca leveled a serious stare at her older sister. Eloise was mad if she thought she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/and-what-renders-him-so-unmarriageable-eloise-asked-francesca-leveled/)

[Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/)

> [Phillip looked to Eloise. "Perhaps introductions are in order?" "Oh," Eloise said, gulping. "Yes, of course. These are my brothers." "I'd gathered," he said,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/phillip-looked-to-eloise-perhaps-introductions-are-in-order-oh-eloise/)

[Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/)

> [I am Eloise. I am six. I live at the Plaza hotel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-thompson/i-am-eloise-i-am-six-i-live-at-the-plaza-hotel/)

[Kay Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-thompson/)

> [If I had a gun, I'd shoot a hole into the sun and love would burn this city down for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-gallagher/if-i-had-a-gun-i-d-shoot-a-hole-into-the-sun-and-love-would-burn-this/)

[Noel Gallagher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-gallagher/)

> [Lost inside my sick head I live for you but I'm not alive. Take my hand before I kill. I still love you, but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-in-chains/lost-inside-my-sick-head-i-live-for-you-but-i-m-not-alive-take-my/)

[Alice In Chains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-in-chains/)

> [Love cannot burn constantly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brosnan/love-cannot-burn-constantly/)

[Pierce Brosnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brosnan/)

> [“I want to be consumed ... I want to love you, burn for you, until there’s nothing else left. Just your heart and mine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/i-want-to-be-consumed-i-want-to-love-you-burn-for-you-until-there-s/)

[Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/)

> [You love each other – anyone can see that, looking at you – that kind of love that can burn down the world or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-love-each-other-anyone-can-see-that-looking-at-you-that-kind-of/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [To love is to burn, to be on fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/to-love-is-to-burn-to-be-on-fire/)

[Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/)

## More by Emma Thompson

> [I do think that despite my best efforts to resist it, I am now a grown-up. It's due to lots of very difficult decisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/i-do-think-that-despite-my-best-efforts-to-resist-it-i-am-now-a-grown/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [Film is so much to do with perfection and how differently you can feel about someone at the beginning of the film and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/film-is-so-much-to-do-with-perfection-and-how-differently-you-can/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [Well, I met Sandy Bullock at an awards thing a couple years ago, and she said to me, “If I were gay, you’d be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/well-i-met-sandy-bullock-at-an-awards-thing-a-couple-years-ago-and/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [But certainly in Uganda, Mozambique and South Africa, people don't really talk about sex and certainly religious leaders - some of them - up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/but-certainly-in-uganda-mozambique-and-south-africa-people-don-t/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [Is love a fancy or a feeling… or a Ferrars?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/is-love-a-fancy-or-a-feeling-or-a-ferrars/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [~I'm strict about manners. I think that kids have a horrible time with other people if they have bad manners… The one thing you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/i-m-strict-about-manners-i-think-that-kids-have-a-horrible-time-with/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [It's such a cold night and it's the only time I've actively been grateful for menopause. I've been entirely comfortable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/it-s-such-a-cold-night-and-it-s-the-only-time-i-ve-actively-been/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [When you buy Fairtrade products you can guarantee that the farmers who have worked hard to grow them get a minimum price. Fairtrade is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/when-you-buy-fairtrade-products-you-can-guarantee-that-the-farmers/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [Just write. It doesn't matter what you write. Just sit at your desk and write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/just-write-it-doesn-t-matter-what-you-write-just-sit-at-your-desk-and/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [ The best way \[to survive\] the red carpet is by wearing Ugg boots. But unfortunately, I have not yet managed to persuade the people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/the-best-way-to-survive-the-red-carpet-is-by-wearing-ugg-boots-but/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [Indeed - judicious, consistent parenting is a dream of mine. No judgements, learning space and listening carefully are my goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/indeed-judicious-consistent-parenting-is-a-dream-of-mine-no/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [I am who I am, and there is nothing I can do about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/i-am-who-i-am-and-there-is-nothing-i-can-do-about-that/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [“My godfather sad that story was abut taking the chaotic jigsaw of life, making it into a picture and putting a frame around it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/my-godfather-sad-that-story-was-abut-taking-the-chaotic-jigsaw-of/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [I've realized that in all the great stories, even if there's a happily-ever-after ending, there's something sad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/i-ve-realized-that-in-all-the-great-stories-even-if-there-s-a-happily/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

> [Piracy is our only option.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/piracy-is-our-only-option/)

[Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

[Explore all 136 Emma Thompson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/)

## More Affection quotes

> [My team and I have reunited two elements that coexist with diffiulty: respect and affection, because when they love you they don't respect you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakira/my-team-and-i-have-reunited-two-elements-that-coexist-with-diffiulty/)

[Shakira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakira/)

> [Needs cause motivation. Deep-rooted desires for esteem, affection, belonging, achievement, self-actualization, power, and control motivate us to push for what we want and need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/needs-cause-motivation-deep-rooted-desires-for-esteem-affection/)

[Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/)

> [“It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/it-is-to-build-a-house-with-affection-even-as-if-your-beloved-were-to/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/)

[Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/)

> [I, measuring his affections by my own, Which then most sought where most might not be found, Being one too many by my weary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-measuring-his-affections-by-my-own-which-then-most-sought-where/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [A lost love. Deny it who will, ridicule it, treat it as mere imagination and sentiment, the thing is and will be; and women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/a-lost-love-deny-it-who-will-ridicule-it-treat-it-as-mere-imagination/)

[Dinah Maria Murlock Craik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinah-maria-murlock-craik/)

> [Affection! Affection is false.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/affection-affection-is-false/)

[Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/)

> [We are a spectacular, splendid manifestation of life. We have language. . . . We have affection. We have genes for usefulness, and usefulness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-thomas/we-are-a-spectacular-splendid-manifestation-of-life-we-have-language/)

[Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/)

> [Listen, I have a great affection and respect for Joe Biden. I think he's been a great vice president. He's taken on a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-axelrod/listen-i-have-a-great-affection-and-respect-for-joe-biden-i-think-he/)

[David Axelrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-axelrod/)

> [The still affection of the heart Became an outward breathing type, That into stillness past again, And left a want unknown before; Although the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/the-still-affection-of-the-heart-became-an-outward-breathing-type/)

[Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/)

> [I am persuaded that there is no affection of the human heart more exquisitely pure, than that which is felt by a grateful son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/i-am-persuaded-that-there-is-no-affection-of-the-human-heart-more/)

[Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/)

> [If you live in a material universe where acquiring things is very important to you, then family is an absolute deterrent to maintaining that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taylor-gatto/if-you-live-in-a-material-universe-where-acquiring-things-is-very/)

[John Taylor Gatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor-gatto/)

> [Our sweetest experiences of affection are meant to be suggestions of that realm which is the home of the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/our-sweetest-experiences-of-affection-are-meant-to-be-suggestions-of/)

[Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/)

> [“Georgia O’Keeffe moved to rural New Mexico, from which she would sign her letters to the people she loved, “from the faraway nearby.” It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/georgia-o-keeffe-moved-to-rural-new-mexico-from-which-she-would-sign/)

[Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/)

[Browse all 2,465 Affection quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affection/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Can he love her? Can the soul really be satisfied with such polite affections? To love is to burn - to be on fire, like Juliet or Guinevere or Eloise...",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Emma Thompson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/can-he-love-her-can-the-soul-really-be-satisfied-with-such-polite/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Affection"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/can-he-love-her-can-the-soul-really-be-satisfied-with-such-polite/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/emma-thompson-3232_affection_can-he-love-her-can-the-soul-really-be-s_1710790.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/emma-thompson-3232_affection_can-he-love-her-can-the-soul-really-be-s_1710790.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f6a/emma-thompson-3232_affection_can-he-love-her-can-the-soul-really-be-s_1710790.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Can he love her? Can the soul really be satisfied with such polite affections? To love is to burn - to be on…” — Emma Thompson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Emma Thompson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Can he love her? Can the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/can-he-love-her-can-the-soul-really-be-satisfied-with-such-polite/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/can-he-love-her-can-the-soul-really-be-satisfied-with-such-polite/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
