There are orphanages, " he exclaimed to himself, "for children who have lost their parents--oh! why, why, why, are there no harbours of refuge for grown men who have not yet lost them?

Samuel Butler
About This Quote

In this quote from "The Prince", Prince Hamlet is asking himself why there are no shelters for people who have lost their families. In the 18th Century, there were no comprehensive systems of welfare for children and adults. Instead, children were often raised by a variety of family members and friends. This is an example of a man losing a father figure at a young age and not being able to find a means of support in his early adulthood.

Source: The Way Of All Flesh

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