Love, in all its forms, has inspired countless poets, writers, and dreamers throughout history. Among them, William Shakespeare remains unmatched in his ability to capture the complexities of the human heart. From star-crossed lovers to the trials of unrequited affection, Shakespeare’s works are filled with timeless wisdom and profound reflections on love.
In this blog, we’ve curated 20 timeless romantic quotes by William Shakespeare that celebrate the beauty, passion, and depth of love. These lines, drawn from his most famous plays and sonnets, continue to resonate with us today, proving that love’s language transcends centuries. Whether you’re a romantic at heart or simply an admirer of poetic brilliance, these quotes are sure to touch your soul. Let’s dive into the enduring magic of Shakespeare’s love-filled words.
20 Timeless Romantic Love quotes by William Shakespeare
From Shakespeare’s Plays:
- “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”
– A Midsummer Night’s Dream - “The course of true love never did run smooth.”
– A Midsummer Night’s Dream - “My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.”
– Romeo and Juliet - “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!
For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.”
– Romeo and Juliet - “Hear my soul speak:
The very instant that I saw you,
Did my heart fly at your service.”
– The Tempest - “If music be the food of love, play on.”
– Twelfth Night - “I do love nothing in the world so well as you:
is not that strange?”
– Much Ado About Nothing - “Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?”
– As You Like It - “Speak low, if you speak love.”
– Much Ado About Nothing - “So long as I can breathe or I can see,
So long lives your love which gives life to me.”
– Sonnet 18
From Shakespeare’s Sonnets:
- “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.”
– Sonnet 18 - “Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.”
– Sonnet 116 - “I love thee with a love that shall not die,
Till the sun grows cold,
And the stars grow old.”
– Sonnet 47 - “Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds.”
– Sonnet 116 - “How much better is thy love than wine!”
– Sonnet 23 - “When in eternal lines to Time thou grow’st;
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”
– Sonnet 18
General Reflections on Love:
- “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”
– All’s Well That Ends Well - “For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.”
– Sonnet 29 - “A heart to love, and in that heart,
Courage, to make love known.”
– Macbeth - “Journeys end in lovers meeting.”
– Twelfth Night
These quotes reveal Shakespeare’s unparalleled understanding of love’s many shades, from its sweetness and passion to its challenges and enduring power. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or a touch of romance, these words remind us why Shakespeare’s works are eternally beloved.
