“Maids want nothing but husbands, and when they have them, they want everything.”
- 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
“Maids want nothing but husbands, and when they have them, they want everything.”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew offers a humorous yet critical commentary on the expectations placed on marriage, particularly from the perspective of women during that era. “Maids want nothing but husbands” refers to the societal view that a woman’s primary goal in life was to marry, as marriage was seen as the ultimate achievement for women, securing them social status and stability. However, the second part of the quote, “and when they have them, they want everything”, reveals the contradiction—once married, women are portrayed as expecting far more from their husbands, whether it be material wealth, power, or emotional fulfillment. This suggests that marriage, while initially viewed as the ultimate desire, can lead to dissatisfaction and a yearning for more.
In the context of Shakespeare’s time, this quote reflects the societal norms and roles that women were expected to play—first as daughters seeking marriage, and then as wives who were expected to be content yet often desired more. In modern times, the quote can still resonate with the dynamics of relationships and marriage, where initial desires and expectations might evolve after the commitment is made. The complexities of marriage often mean that individuals have different desires and expectations once the initial pursuit is over, leading to potential friction or misunderstanding.
This quote can also highlight the human tendency to desire more once a goal is achieved, a pattern not confined to women or marriage but present in various aspects of life. It serves as a reminder that expectations can shift over time, and what initially seems like the end goal may just be the beginning of new challenges or desires. In this way, the quote humorously captures the dynamics of relationships and the nature of human desire.
