“ The will of man is by his reason sway'd; And reason says you are the worthier maid. ”
William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream (1601). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | A Midsummer Night's Dream |
| Topic | reason man will |
| Date | 1601 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written between 1590 and 1597 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1514/1514-h/1514-h.htm |
Context
“Yet Hermia still loves you. Then be content.
LYSANDER. Content with Hermia? No, I do repent
The tedious minutes I with her have spent. Not Hermia, but Helena I love. Who will not change a raven for a dove? The will of man is by his reason sway'd, And reason says you are the worthier maid. Things growing are not ripe until their season; So I, being young, till now ripe not to reason; And touching now the point of human skill, Reason becomes the marshal to my will, And leads me to your eyes, where I o'erlook” source
LYSANDER. Content with Hermia? No, I do repent
The tedious minutes I with her have spent. Not Hermia, but Helena I love. Who will not change a raven for a dove? The will of man is by his reason sway'd, And reason says you are the worthier maid. Things growing are not ripe until their season; So I, being young, till now ripe not to reason; And touching now the point of human skill, Reason becomes the marshal to my will, And leads me to your eyes, where I o'erlook” source
Meaning and analysis
