Brave New World Shakespeare Quotes, Aldous Huxley’s dystopian masterpiece, envisions a future World State where conformity, genetic engineering, and the drug Soma suppress individuality and emotion. A literary classic with millions of copies sold, the novel uses Shakespeare’s works as a powerful contrast to its sterile society, particularly through John the Savage, who draws on the Bard’s poetry to express his humanity and rebellion. Shakespeare’s words, forbidden in the World State, evoke passion, tragedy, and freedom, clashing with the novel’s controlled utopia. These 15 quotes—Shakespearean lines or paraphrases cited in Brave New World—highlight the novel’s themes of love, loss, and resistance, sourced from the novel and their original plays, capturing the timeless power of Shakespeare’s language.
15 Brave New World Shakespeare Quotes
- “O brave new world / That has such people in’t!” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 139; The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1, by William Shakespeare)
- “The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices / Make instruments to plague us.” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 238; King Lear, Act 5, Scene 3)
- “When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage / Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed.” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 131; Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 3)
- “O, wonder! / How many goodly creatures are there here! / How beauteous mankind is!” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 139; The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1)
- “To be, or not to be: that is the question.” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 187; Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1)
- “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet.” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 143; Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2)
- “If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 191; Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2)
- “Is there no pity sitting in the clouds, / That sees into the bottom of my grief?” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 192; Romeo and Juliet, Act 3, Scene 5)
- “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 142; Romeo and Juliet, Act 1, Scene 5)
- “Property was thus appalled, / That the self was not the same; / Single nature’s double name / Neither two nor one was called.” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 237; The Phoenix and the Turtle, lines 37–40)
- “Out, out, brief candle!” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 188; Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5)
- “My heart is thine, to make or mar.” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 191; adapted from Romeo and Juliet, Act 3, Scene 2)
- “Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow.” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 193; Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2)
- “Beware the ides of March.” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 186; Julius Caesar, Act 1, Scene 2)
- “O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!” (Brave New World, 1932, p. 187; Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1)
These Shakespeare quotes in Brave New World amplify Aldous Huxley’s critique of a world that stifles passion and individuality, using the Bard’s poetry to champion human depth and defiance. Which quote stirs your soul? Share it in the comments and keep the spirit of Shakespeare’s words alive in Huxley’s vision!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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