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Death Quote by William Shakespeare

“O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face! Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave? Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical! Dove-feather'd raven! wolvish-ravening lamb! Despised substance of divinest show! Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st, A damned saint, an honourable villain! O nature, what…” quote by William Shakespeare
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““O serpent heart, hid with a flowering face! Did ever dragon keep so fair a cave? Beautiful tyrant! fiend angelical! Dove-feather'd raven! wolvish-ravening lamb! Despised substance of divinest show! Just opposite to what thou justly seem'st, A damned saint, an honourable villain! O nature, what hadst thou to do in hell; When thou didst bower the spirit of a fiend In mortal paradise of such sweet flesh? Was ever book containing such vile matter So fairly bound? O that deceit should dwell In such a gorgeous palace!””

William Shakespeare

About This Quote

Source Play: “Romeo and Juliet” (Act 2, Scene 2), 1597

The speaker describes love as a paradoxical blend of beauty and danger, highlighting its capacity to be both divine and destructive.

In simple terms: Love is beautiful yet dangerous, a mix of good and evil.

Key Takeaway

Embrace love’s complexity while staying aware of its risks.

Themes

love paradox danger

Mood

passionate cautious

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • courtship
  • poetry
  • therapy
  • relationship counseling
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

romanticism dualism human nature

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance passion with caution?
  • What does “beautiful tyrant” reveal about love?
A Different Perspective

Idealizing love can blind one to warning signs.

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