Love Quote by William Shakespeare
““Come, I know thou lovest me; and at night, when you come into your closet, you'll question this gentlewoman about me; and I know, Kate, you will to her dispraise those parts in me that you love with your heart. But, good Kate, mock me mercifully; the rather, gentle princess, because I love thee cruelly.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Twelfth Night, Act 2 Scene 2, 1623
A lover asks a friend to speak kindly about him while also acknowledging the pain of unreciprocated love.
In simple terms: A lover wants gentle teasing despite hurtful love.
Key Takeaway
Accept love’s paradoxes with humor.
Themes
love
humor
paradox
friendship
Mood
playful
melancholy
Type
dramatic
romantic
When to use this quote
- courtship
- confessional letters
- private conversations
Key Concepts
unrequited love
self-awareness
emotional honesty
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance honesty with kindness?
- Can teasing heal or hurt?
A Different Perspective
The speaker’s cruelty may alienate the beloved.
