Crooked smiling theatrical mask on two blank sealed envelopes, maroon/copper

Original artwork, not a still

A Midsummer Night's Dream ‧ 1600

William Shakespeare

Lord, what fools these mortals be!

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker exclaims, apparently with amused exasperation, at how foolish human beings are. Mortals are observed as a whole species prone to silliness, and the remark seems to carry relish rather than harsh condemnation. It works as a witty shrug at human folly.

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