Sunday, January 13, 2008

Shakespeare on Pride

Ever notice how much “pride” figures in Shakespeare? Here is a light selection, out of many possibilities:

King Henry IV: …that title of respect
Which the proud soul ne’er pays but to the proud.

Henry IV Part I, I, iii

Richard II: fair cousin, you debase your princely knee
To make the base earth proud with kissing it:

Richard II. III, iv

Pembroke (of the young Price Arthur): Oh death, made proud with pure and princely beauty.

--King John, IV iii

Oberon: Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania.

--Midsummer Night’s Dream II, i

Cleopatra: What's brave, what's noble,
Let 's do it after the high Roman fashion,
And make death proud to take us."

--Antony and Cleopatra, IV,xv

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