Death Quote by William Shakespeare
“Ruin has taught me to ruminate, That Time will come and take my love away. This thought is as a death, which cannot choose But weep to have that which it fears to lose.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1, 1611
Ruminating on loss, the speaker sees grief as a death that paradoxically fuels the desire to protect what is feared to be lost.
In simple terms: Grief makes us cling to what we fear losing.
Cherish what you have before it fades.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal loss
- relationship ending
- creative writing
- counseling sessions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “death” symbolize in your grief?
- How can you transform fear of loss into appreciation?
The metaphor may over‑dramatize normal sadness.