Beauty Quote by William Shakespeare
“Virtue is beauty, but the beauteous evil. Are empty trunks o'erflourished by the devil.”
About This Quote
Source Play: The Tempest, Act I, Scene 2, 1611
Beauty can be a virtue, yet evil can masquerade as attractive, like a hollow tree overgrown by a devil.
In simple terms: Virtue may appear beautiful, but evil can disguise itself.
Key Takeaway
Beware of superficial allure.
Themes
beauty
virtue
evil
appearance
Mood
cautionary
poetic
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political rhetoric
- advertising
- personal relationships
- media analysis
Key Concepts
moral ambiguity
deception
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “beauteous evil” suggest about moral perception?
- How do we discern true virtue?
A Different Perspective
Interpretation varies; may be metaphorical.
