---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you had told Sycorax that her son…"
description: "\"If you had told Sycorax that her son Caliban was as handsome as Apollo, she would have been pleased, witch as she was.\" — William Makepeace Thackeray"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d5/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_apollo_if-you-had-told-sycorax-that-her-son-cal_2476373.jpg"
---

#  If you had told Sycorax that her son Caliban was as…

![“If you had told Sycorax that her son Caliban was as handsome as Apollo, she would have been pleased, witch as she was.” quote by William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d5/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_apollo_if-you-had-told-sycorax-that-her-son-cal_2476373.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d5/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_apollo_if-you-had-told-sycorax-that-her-son-cal_2476373.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1d5/william-makepeace-thackeray-74_apollo_if-you-had-told-sycorax-that-her-son-cal_2476373.jpg)

> “If you had told Sycorax that her son Caliban was as handsome as Apollo, she would have been pleased, witch as she was.”

[William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/)

## 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 suggests that praising a witch’s son as handsome would please her, highlighting how flattery works on pride.

**In simple terms:** Flattery can please even the proud.

Key Takeaway

Use sincere compliments wisely.

Themes

pride flattery relationships

Mood

playful reflective

Type

literary social

When to use this quote

- family dynamics
- literary analysis
- personal interactions

Key Concepts

psychology social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- When have you used flattery effectively?
- What risks does insincere praise carry?

A Different Perspective

Flattery may backfire if perceived as insincere.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Apollo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apollo/) [Apollo Pleased](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apollo-pleased-815858/) [Caliban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caliban/) [Caliban Handsome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caliban-handsome-815856/) [Flattery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flattery/) [Handsome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handsome/) [Handsome Apollo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handsome-apollo-815857/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Pleased Witch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleased-witch-815859/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Witch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witch/)

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