“Fishes live in the sea, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones.”
- April 26, 1564 – April 23, 1616
- Born in England
- Playwright, poet, actor
- Wrote many masterpieces such as “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Macbeth,” and had a great influence on English literature
Quote
“Fishes live in the sea, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones.”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew draws a parallel between the natural world and human society, suggesting that, much like in the sea where the larger fish prey on the smaller ones, in human society, the powerful or influential individuals often take advantage of the weaker or less privileged. The comparison of “fishes live in the sea” to “men do a-land” emphasizes that this hierarchical system exists in both the natural world and human society. “The great ones eat up the little ones” refers to how those in power often exploit or dominate those who are less powerful, highlighting the predatory nature of power dynamics.
In modern contexts, this quote resonates with the idea of social inequality, where the rich, powerful, or privileged often exploit the poor, vulnerable, or marginalized. It reflects the way systems of power can perpetuate injustice, where the “big fish” take from the “small fish” for their own benefit. For example, in the workplace, large corporations or powerful individuals may exploit the labor of lower-wage workers, or in politics, powerful nations may take advantage of less powerful ones.
Ultimately, this quote serves as a commentary on the imbalances of power and the unfairness that can exist in human societies, where the strong often dominate the weak. It highlights the need for fairness and justice, encouraging reflection on how power structures can be more equitable and less exploitative, where the smaller fish are not consumed by the bigger ones.
