---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How darkly and how deadly dost thou…"
description: "\"“How darkly and how deadly dost thou speak! Your eyes do menace me. Why look you pale? Who sent you hither? Wherefore do you come?”\" — Shakespeare, Wil..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f2/shakespeare-william-34164_menace_how-darkly-and-how-deadly-dost-thou-spea_559340.jpg"
---

#  How darkly and how deadly dost thou speak! Your eyes do…

![“How darkly and how deadly dost thou speak! Your eyes do menace me. Why look you pale? Who sent you hither? Wherefore do you come?” quote by Shakespeare, William](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f2/shakespeare-william-34164_menace_how-darkly-and-how-deadly-dost-thou-spea_559340.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f2/shakespeare-william-34164_menace_how-darkly-and-how-deadly-dost-thou-spea_559340.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f2/shakespeare-william-34164_menace_how-darkly-and-how-deadly-dost-thou-spea_559340.jpg)

> ““How darkly and how deadly dost thou speak! Your eyes do menace me. Why look you pale? Who sent you hither? Wherefore do you come?””

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

## About This Quote

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

A character confronts a threatening, mysterious figure, questioning motives and origins.

**In simple terms:** Facing a dangerous stranger with suspicion.

Key Takeaway

Assess threats before reacting.

Themes

suspense danger identity

Mood

tense curious

Type

dramatic literary

When to use this quote

- first encounters
- conflict resolution
- trust building
- storytelling

Key Concepts

character analysis dramatic tension motivation

Questions to Reflect On

- Who is the true antagonist?
- What clues reveal their purpose?

A Different Perspective

The quote may be dramatized and not reflect real intent.

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> [There's a metaphor for the American public in here," Gansey murmered darkly, "but it escapes me at the moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/there-s-a-metaphor-for-the-american-public-in-here-gansey-murmered/)

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[Donald Allen Kirch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-allen-kirch/)

## More by Shakespeare, William

> [“Show me a man that is not passion's slave and I will wear him in my heart's core.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakespeare-william/show-me-a-man-that-is-not-passion-s-slave-and-i-will-wear-him-in-my/)

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> [“Unhappy that I am, I cannot heave My heart into my mouth: I love your majesty According to my bond; no more nor less.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakespeare-william/unhappy-that-i-am-i-cannot-heave-my-heart-into-my-mouth-i-love-your/)

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> [My mind shrank from the menace sweeping down on us, as children's do from belief in death and misfortune, vainly clinging to the fancy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-pankhurst/my-mind-shrank-from-the-menace-sweeping-down-on-us-as-children-s-do/)

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