There are many famous quotes from classic English literature that we are familiar with. These quotes can be seen in various contexts. Classics and their quotes have retained their importance to this day due to their universality and poetic nature. Looking at these quotes while learning English not only enhances your general knowledge but also gives you the opportunity to see new phrases and how they are used. Here are a few examples of those famous quotes:
Famous Quotes about Love
1-William Shakespeare, “Romeo and Juliet”:
“But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”
Meaning: Romeo compares Juliet to the sun, symbolizing how he sees her as the source of light and life. Her beauty and significance in his life shine through his darkness and greatly impact him. This metaphor captures the power often found in youthful love.
2-Emily Brontë, “Wuthering Heights”:
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
Meaning: Catherine implies that their bond goes beyond the physical body; it is about spiritual love and connection. Their connection is so deep that it becomes consuming and indicates that they are soulmates.
3-Jane Austen, “Pride and Prejudice”:
“You have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you.”
Meaning: Darcy’s vow to Elizabeth represents a profound and overpowering love that permeates all aspects of his character. It demonstrates the transformational power of love that challenges the boundaries made because of pride and prejudice.
4-Elizabeth Barrett Browning, “Sonnets from the Portuguese”:
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”
Meaning: The persona starts the sonnet by expressing her desire for her partner. The poem explores love’s qualities profoundly and reflects the enduring and universal nature of the depth of affection.
Famous Quotes about Life
1-Thomas Hardy, “Far From the Madding Crowd”:
“It is difficult for a woman to define her feelings in language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs.”
Meaning: Hardy underscores the hardships women face in a patriarchal society.
2-William Shakespeare, “Hamlet”:
“To be, or not to be: that is the question.”
Meaning: Hamlet contemplates whether it is better to exist or choose the other way around by grappling with the complexities of the decision.
3-Charlotte Brontë, “Jane Eyre”:
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.”
Meaning: Jane Eyre asserts her independence and liberty, expressing her determination to live on her own choices.
4-Charles Dickens, “Great Expectations”:
“Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but – I hope – into a better shape.”
Meaning: This quote mirrors the transformative power of hardship and how it shapes character.
Famous Quotes about Society
1-George Orwell, “Animal Farm”:
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
Meaning: Orwell satirizes the hypocrisy of political rhetoric and the corruption brought by power, even though they claim its equality.
2-William Shakespeare, “Julius Caesar”:
“Cry ‘Havoc!’, and let slip the dogs of war.”
Meaning: Shakespeare’s quote depicts the chaos and violence that occurs when societal order breaks down, highlighting the destructive nature of conflict.
3-Mary Shelley, “Frankenstein”:
“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.”
Meaning: Shelley’s quote mirrors the consequences of uncontrolled ambition and the possibility for individuals to choose control over society.
4-Oscar Wilde, “The Importance of Being Earnest”:
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”
Meaning: Wilde explores the complexity of truth and deception within society, indicating that the truth can change.
Famous Quotes about Friendship
1-J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Fellowship of the Ring”:
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Meaning: In this conversation between Frodo and Gandalf, the theme of friendship is subtly woven into their dialogues about facing difficult times. The quote reflects the power of friendship in providing comfort, strength, and guidance during hardship.
2-C.S. Lewis, “The Four Loves”:
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'”
Meaning: Lewis beautifully captures the essence of friendship as a shared understanding and connection between individuals who recognize and appreciate each other’s abnormalities, backgrounds, and importance.
3-Jane Austen, “Northanger Abbey”:
“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.”
Meaning: In this quote, Catherine Morland expresses her unwavering commitment and devotion to her friends, rejecting superficial or conditional affection.
4-Mark Twain, “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”:
“But I reckon I got to light out for the territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally, she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before.”
Meaning: Twain examines the theme of friendship by depicting Huck’s internal conflict and willingness to sacrifice his comfort and safety for his friendship with Jim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Famous Quotes from Classic English Literature
What is Charles Dickens’ most famous quote?
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”- A Tale of Two Cities
What is George Eliot’s most famous quote?
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”- Middlemarch
What is a famous quote from George Orwell?
“Big Brother is watching you.”- 1984
What is Emily Dickinson’s most famous quote?
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” -Hope is the thing with feathers (Poem 254)
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