“It is not politic in the commonwealth of nature to preserve virginity. Loss of virginity is rational increase, and there was never virgin got till virginity was first lost. That you were made of is metal to make virgins. Virginity, by being once lost, may be ten times found: by being ever kept, it is ever lost. ’Tis too cold a companion: away with ’t!”
Explore This Quote Further
Modern Relevance of Shakespeare's View on Virginity
In this quote from William Shakespeare's play "All's Well That Ends Well," the character Parolles argues that the concept of preserving virginity is not natural and that it is better to experience life and relationships. This perspective can still be relevant today in the context of modern attitudes towards sexuality and relationships.
Example of Usage:
In this quote from William Shakespeare's play "All's Well That Ends Well," the character Parolles argues that the preservation of virginity is not natural in the commonwealth of nature. He presents the idea that losing one's virginity is actually a rational increase and that it is better to experience life fully rather than cling to the notion of purity.
Analysis:
In this quote from "All's Well That Ends Well" by William Shakespeare, the character Parolles argues that it is not beneficial to preserve virginity in the natural order of things. He suggests that the loss of virginity leads to rational increase and that virginity itself is meant to be lost in order to fulfill its purpose. Parolles contemplates that virginity, if lost, can be found multiple times, but if preserved, it is essentially lost. He implies that holding onto one's virginity is a cold and isolating state, advocating for the experience of intimacy and the natural progression of relationships. Shakespeare uses this speech to challenge traditional notions of purity and explore the complexities of societal expectations surrounding virginity.
Reflection Questions:
In this quote from William Shakespeare, the speaker argues against the preservation of virginity, claiming that its loss leads to rational increase. This perspective challenges traditional views on virginity and relationships. Reflecting on this quote, consider the following questions:
- How does this quote challenge societal norms regarding virginity?
- Do you agree or disagree with the speaker's perspective on the value of virginity?
- How does this quote reflect the cultural attitudes towards sexuality during Shakespeare's time?
- How do you think modern society views the concept of virginity compared to the past?
- Can virginity be regained after it is lost, as suggested by the speaker? Why or why not?
- Do you believe that preserving virginity is important in relationships? Why or why not?
Similar quotes
“Virginity being blown down man will quicklier be blown up; marry, in blowing him down again, with the breach yourselves made you lose your city. It is not politic in the commonwealth of nature to preserve virginity. Loss of virginity is rational increase, and there was never virgin got till virginity was first lost. That you were made of is mettel to make virgins. Virginity, by being once lost may be ten times found; by being ever kept it is ever lost. ‘Tis too cold a companion. Away with ‘t!There’s little can be said in’t; ’tis against the rule of nature. To speak on the part of virginity, is to accuse your mothers; which is most infallible disobedience. He that hangs himself is a virgin; virginity murthers itself, and should be buried in highways out of all sanctified limit, as a desperate offendress against nature. Virginity breeds mites, much like a cheese; consumes itself to the very paring, and so dies with feeding his own stomach. Besides, virginity is peevish, proud, idle, made of self-love which is the most inhibited sin in the canon. Keep it not; you cannot choose but loose by’t. Out with ‘t! Within the year it will make itself two, which is a goodly increase, and the principal itself not much the worse. Away with ‘t! Tis a commodity that will lose the gloss with lying; the longer kept, the less worth: off with ’t, while ’tis vendible; answer the time of request. Virginity, like an old courtier, wears her cap out of fashion; richly suited, but unsuitable: just like the brooch and the toothpick, which wear not now. Your date is better in your pie and your porridge than in your cheek; and your virginity, your old virginity, is like one of our French withered pears: it looks ill, it eats drily. Marry, 'tis a withered pear; it was formerly better; marry, yet 'tis a withered pear! Will you anything with it?”
“He that hangs himself is a virgin: virginity murders itself, and should be buried in highways, out of all sanctified limit, as a desperate offendress against nature. Virginity breeds mites, much like a cheese, consumes itself to the very paring, and so dies with feeding his own stomach. Besides, virginity is peevish, proud, idle, made of self-love, which is the most inhibited sin in the canon. Keep it not; you cannot choose but lose by’t! Out with’t! within the year it will make itself two, which is a goodly increase, and the principal itself not much the worse. Away with ’t!”
“Tis a commodity that will lose the gloss with lying; the longer kept, the less worth: off with ’t, while ’tis vendible; answer the time of request. Virginity, like an old courtier, wears her cap out of fashion; richly suited, but unsuitable: just like the brooch and the toothpick, which wear not now.”
“Every harlot was a virgin once”
“People with lost personalities will suffer a great deal more than those with lost virginities.”
“In the South you are ashamed of being a virgin. Boys. Men. They lie about it. Because it means less to women, Father said. He said it was men invented virginity not women. Father said it's like death: only a state in which the others are left and I said, But to believe it doesn't matter and he said, That's what's so sad about anything: not only virginity and I said, Why couldn't it have been me and not her who is unvirgin and he said, That's why that's sad too; nothing is even worth the changing of it...”