--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What should a man do but be merry? For…" description: "\"What should a man do but be merry? For look you how cheerfully my mother looks, and my father died within's two hours.\" — William Shakespeare" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4df/william-shakespeare-4_died_what-should-a-man-do-but-be-merry-for-lo_539690.jpg" --- # What should a man do but be merry? For look you how… ![“What should a man do but be merry? For look you how cheerfully my mother looks, and my father died within's two hours.” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4df/william-shakespeare-4_died_what-should-a-man-do-but-be-merry-for-lo_539690.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4df/william-shakespeare-4_died_what-should-a-man-do-but-be-merry-for-lo_539690.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4df/william-shakespeare-4_died_what-should-a-man-do-but-be-merry-for-lo_539690.jpg) > “What should a man do but be merry? For look you how cheerfully my mother looks, and my father died within's two hours.” [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. Merriment is a coping tool after loss; joy can coexist with grief. **In simple terms:** Be happy despite sorrow. Key Takeaway Find joy even in hardship. Themes grief joy resilience Mood melancholy hopeful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - bereavement - celebrations - daily life - mental health Key Concepts catharsis philosophical outlook Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance mourning and joy? - What does “be merry” mean to you? A Different Perspective Merriment may mask unresolved grief. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Merry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/merry/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [No man can be merry unless he is serious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/no-man-can-be-merry-unless-he-is-serious/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray you, love, remember: and there is pansies, that's for thoughts. 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