“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.”
- 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
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s The Tempest conveys a powerful image of evil and corruption being present in the world, as opposed to being confined to an imagined afterlife. “Hell is empty” suggests that the traditional concept of hell, the place where evil or damned souls reside, is vacant—it is no longer the home of the wicked. Instead, “all the devils are here” implies that the evil, chaos, and corruption that would have once resided in hell are now manifest in the world, among the people in the present moment. The quote evokes the sense that evil is no longer distant or abstract, but very much present and active in the world around us.
In modern contexts, this quote can be applied to situations where immorality, greed, or injustice seem overwhelming or rampant. It speaks to moments in history or in personal experiences when people may feel that evil forces are dominant, whether through social injustice, political corruption, or human cruelty. The quote reflects the sense of despair and disillusionment that can come when it seems that evil is winning or that humanity has descended into a state of moral chaos.
This quote serves as a stark reminder of the presence of evil in the world and the need to confront it. It suggests that we must be vigilant and aware of the negative forces around us and that hell does not have to be a far-off place; it can manifest right here on earth, in the actions and behaviors of those who commit harm or perpetuate injustice. It calls for an active response to combat evil and work toward goodness and justice in the face of overwhelming darkness.
