“When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions.”
- 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
“When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions.”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s Hamlet suggests that troubles and misfortunes often arrive in clusters or waves, rather than one at a time. The phrase “not single spies” implies that sorrow or hardship does not approach quietly or individually, but rather overwhelms a person with multiple troubles or challenges all at once, like a battalion of soldiers. The comparison to battalions emphasizes the intensity and multitude of difficulties that can flood a person’s life, making them feel as though their problems are compounded and harder to manage.
In modern contexts, this quote resonates with anyone who has experienced a period of unrelenting difficulty, where one problem leads to another, creating a sense of overwhelm. It reflects the common feeling that when things go wrong, they seem to go wrong all at once, whether in personal, professional, or emotional situations. It captures the way life’s challenges sometimes feel like a cascade, where multiple burdens pile up unexpectedly.
Ultimately, this quote highlights the burdensome nature of hardships and the emotional weight that can come with them. It reminds us that sorrow can feel intensified when it comes in waves and encourages the understanding that difficult times can sometimes feel relentless. Yet, the quote also suggests the need for resilience in facing such overwhelming situations, as they are often a part of the human experience.
