Creature Quote by William Shakespeare
““And the creature run from the cur? There thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog’s obeyed in office. Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand. Why dost thou lash that whore? Strip thine own back. Thou hotly lust’st to use her in that kind For which thou whipp’st her. The usurer hangs the cozener. Through tattered clothes great vices do appear; Robes and furred gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks. Arm it in rags, a pigmy’s straw does pierce it. None does offend—none, I say, none. I’ll able 'em. Take that of me, my friend, who have the power To seal th' accuser’s lips. Get thee glass eyes, And like a scurvy politician seem To see the things thou dost not.””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Tempest, Act 2, Scene 1 (paraphrased)
Power corrupts, disguising injustice with pomp, while the oppressed suffer silently.
In simple terms: Power hides injustice behind appearances.
Key Takeaway
Question authority and seek truth.
Themes
power
injustice
hypocrisy
Mood
cynical
provocative
Type
literary
political
When to use this quote
- legal systems
- political discourse
- social activism
Key Concepts
political satire
social critique
morality
Questions to Reflect On
- Who benefits from hidden authority?
- How can we expose disguised oppression?
A Different Perspective
The language is archaic, making modern relevance unclear.
