Poetry Quote by Hilary Mantel
““Suppose she denied him then but favored him some other time? Women are weak and easily conquered by flattery. Especially when men write verses to them, and there are some who sat that Wyatt writes better verses than me, though I am the King.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, 2009
The narrator reflects on a rival’s claim to poetic talent, using flattery and gendered assumptions to undermine the rival’s credibility.
In simple terms: A king doubts a poet’s skill, citing flattery and gender bias.
Key Takeaway
Question motives behind praise and recognize bias.
Themes
power
poetry
gender
politics
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- court diplomacy
- literary criticism
- personal ambition
Key Concepts
rivalry
court intrigue
self‑promotion
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this reveal about gendered power dynamics?
- How does flattery affect trust?
A Different Perspective
Flattery can mask true ability and manipulate perception.
![“The President [Barack Obama] is very focused on [healthcare]. He, of course, is also writing this speech at high speed. And right coming up until the speech, he is convinced that a full plan, letter and verse of what the administration wants, will be released.” quote by Ron Suskind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/457/ron-suskind-10115_administration_the-president-barack-obama-is-very-focus_40912.jpg)
