Arabian Quote by William Shakespeare
“Then must you speak Of one that loved not wisely but too well, Of one not easily jealous but, being wrought, Perplexed in the extreme; of one whose hand, Like the base Indian, threw a pearl away Richer than all his tribe; of one whose subdued eyes, Albeit unused to the melting mood, Drop tears as fast as the Arabian trees Their medicinable gum. Set you down this, And say besides that in Aleppo once, Where a malignant and a turbaned Turk Beat a Venetian and traduced the state, I took by th' throat the circumcised dog And smote him thus.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1
A speaker reflects on love that is excessive and misdirected, comparing it to wasteful actions and violent deeds.
In simple terms: Excessive love leads to waste and conflict.
Key Takeaway
Beware of love that blinds judgment.
Themes
love
excess
waste
violence
Mood
melancholic
dramatic
Type
literary
tragic
When to use this quote
- romantic relationships
- family disputes
- political power struggles
Key Concepts
classical tragedy
human folly
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the costs of loving too intensely?
- How can one balance passion with reason?
A Different Perspective
Love’s intensity can cause irrational, destructive behavior.
