In Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," the speaker expresses a profound sense of loss and despair over a woman's beauty and grace. They argue that her departure would leave the world without a trace of such elegance, indicating that her charm is unmatched and irreplaceable. This sentiment highlights the deep emotional impact of her presence and suggests that her absence would be a grave injustice to the world.
The speaker implies that the woman's cruelty lies in her potential to take away her gifts without letting anyone else benefit from them. This adds a layer of complexity to her character, as it raises questions about the nature of beauty and its responsibilities. The quote underlines themes of unfulfilled potential and the heartache associated with love and loss throughout the play.