Paul Laurence DunbarThis, this indeed is to be accursed, For if we mortals love, or if we sing, We count our joys not by what we have, But by what kept us from that perfect thing.
About This Quote
In the play Hamlet, the character Laertes speaks about being accursed for loving. As a result, he is doomed to a life of misery and woe. His love for Ophelia has brought him nothing but heartache. In this quote, Shakespeare shows that even if we do love, we should still count our joys not by what we have but by what kept us from that perfect thing which is love.
The "perfect thing" can take many forms. In Hamlet, it is the ghost of Hamlet’s father. In Romeo and Juliet it is Juliet’s death which holds the key to their love.
In Macbeth it is the title of the throne. The point Shakespeare wants to make is that if we do in fact love then we should be happy in the life that we have in spite of whatever gifts or tragedies come our way.
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