“ Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. ”
William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (1623). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Twelfth Night |
| Topic | greatness |
| Date | 1623 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | Twelfth Night, or What You Will, Act II, Scene 5 |
| Note | Written between 1601 and 1602 Malvolio line |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1526/pg1526-images.html |
Context
“M, O, A, I;—This simulation is not as the former:—and yet, to crush this a little, it would bow to me, for every one of these letters are in my name. Soft; here follows prose.— 'If this fall into thy hand, revolve. In my stars I am above thee; but be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. Thy fates open their hands; let thy blood and spirit embrace them. And, to inure thyself to what thou art like to be, cast thy humble slough and appear fresh. Be opposite with a kinsman, surly with servants: let thy tongue tang arguments of state; put thyself into the trick of singularity: She thus advises thee that sighs for thee.”
source
Meaning and analysis
Kwize Master
Maria wrote a letter to Malvolio, Olivia's steward, to make fun of him by having him believe that Olivia loves him. Thus, the alleged Olivia tells him in this letter that he must not be afraid of their different social status, because if some were born in greatness, others reach greatness through their efforts and others, finally, experience greatness because of opportune circumstances.
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