Thou art Quote by William Shakespeare
““Dost thou not suspect my place? Dost thou not suspect my years? O that he were here to write me down an ass! But masters, remember that I am an ass. Though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass. No, thou villain, thou art full of piety, as shall be proved upon thee by good witness. I am a wise fellow, and which is more, an officer, and which is more, a householder, and which is more, as pretty a piece of flesh as any is in Messina, and one that knows the law, go to . . . and one that hath two gowns, and everything handsome about him. Bring him away. O that I had been writ down an ass!””
About This Quote
Source Play: Twelfth Night, Act 2 Scene 3, 1623
The speaker mocks his own foolishness, claiming he is an ass despite holding many titles, highlighting the absurdity of self‑importance.
In simple terms: He jokes he’s a donkey despite many roles.
Key Takeaway
Don’t let titles mask true character.
Themes
humor
self‑deprecation
identity
absurdity
Mood
playful
ironic
Type
dramatic
satirical
When to use this quote
- courtly intrigue
- self‑presentation
- role‑playing
- political satire
Key Concepts
satire
ego
social status
Questions to Reflect On
- How do titles influence self‑perception?
- When does self‑deprecation become a defense?
A Different Perspective
The humor may obscure serious critique of social hierarchy.
![“That particular story ["The Pyramid and the Ass"] was written during the dark days of the Bush years. George W. Bush had just been "re-elected" (or elected for the first time, depending on how you count the stolen election) and it seemed like the horror of his presidency would last forever.” quote by Alexander Weinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c54/alexander-weinstein-17341_ass_that-particular-story-the-pyramid-and-th_1455453.jpg)
