Commonwealth Contraries Quote by William Shakespeare
““I' the commonwealth I would by contraries Execute all things; for no kind of traffic Would I admit; no name of magistrate; Letters should not be known; riches, poverty, And use of service, none; contract, succession, Bourn, bound of land, tilth, vineyard, none; No use of metal, corn, or wine, or oil; No occupation; all men idle, all; And women too, but innocent and pure; And no sovereignty; - SEBASTIAN: Yet he would be king on't. ANTONIO: The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning.””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Tempest, Act 2, Scene 1, 1611
A critique of an idealized society without law, hierarchy, or labor, highlighting its impracticality and loss of purpose.
In simple terms: Imagining a perfect society without rules leads to chaos.
Key Takeaway
Consider the balance between freedom and structure.
Themes
politics
philosophy
utopia
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- political theory
- community planning
- ethical debates
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
social contract
anarchism
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What essential structures sustain societies?
- Can true equality exist without hierarchy?
A Different Perspective
Utopian visions often ignore human motivations.
