--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: O, let me kiss that hand! KING LEAR: Let…" description: "\"O, let me kiss that hand! KING LEAR: Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.\" — William Shakespeare" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/william-shakespeare-4_death_o-let-me-kiss-that-hand-king-lear-let-me_1097162.jpg" --- # O, let me kiss that hand! KING LEAR: Let me wipe it first… ![“O, let me kiss that hand! KING LEAR: Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/william-shakespeare-4_death_o-let-me-kiss-that-hand-king-lear-let-me_1097162.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/william-shakespeare-4_death_o-let-me-kiss-that-hand-king-lear-let-me_1097162.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03d/william-shakespeare-4_death_o-let-me-kiss-that-hand-king-lear-let-me_1097162.jpg) > “O, let me kiss that hand! KING LEAR: Let me wipe it first; it smells of mortality.” [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character offers a kiss while acknowledging mortality, blending intimacy with the awareness of death **In simple terms:** Love and death intertwine Key Takeaway Recognize love’s fleeting nature Themes love mortality humanity Mood tragic contemplative Type dramatic literary When to use this quote - stage performance - personal relationships - end‑of‑life moments - literary analysis Key Concepts existential reflection theatrical irony Questions to Reflect On - What does the kiss symbolize? - How does mortality shape affection? 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