If there were a sympathy in choice,War, death, or sickness, did lay siege to it,Making it momentary as a sound,Swift as a shadow, short as any dream,Brief as the lightning in the collied nightThat, in a spleen, unfolds both heaven and earth,And ere a man hath power to say 'Behold!'The jaws of darkness do devour it up;So quick bright things come to confusion.
The quote reflects on the fleeting nature of life and human experiences, suggesting that if the heart truly had a choice, it would prioritize empathy. However, war, death, and illness often interrupt this desire, rendering moments ephemeral and insubstantial. Shakespeare paints a picture of life’s transience, likening it to a mere sound, shadow, or dream that slips away before one can grasp it.
Moreover, the comparison of bright experiences to lightning in a storm underscores their brilliance and brevity. It speaks to the inevitability of darkness consuming these moments, illustrating a universal truth: beautiful things can vanish in an instant, leaving only confusion in their wake. This acknowledgment of life's impermanence is a poignant theme in Shakespeare's work.
