1590s

Explore 163 quotes from the 1590s

I count religion but a childish toy, and hold there is no sin but ignorance.

Christopher Marlowe

The Jew of Malta

More information about this quote

Topic

Religion

Speaker

Machiavel

Author

Christopher Marlowe

Source

The Jew of Malta

Medium

Play

Genre

Tragedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1593 1590s 16th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Marlowe, Christopher. The Jew of Malta. London, c. 1633, prologue.

Current Citation

Marlowe, Christopher. "The Jew of Malta." Christopher Marlowe: The Complete Plays. Penguin Classics, 2004, prologue.

Alteration though it be from worse to better hath in it inconveniences, and those weighty.

Richard Hooker

More information about this quote

Topic

Difficulty of change Change

Author

Richard Hooker

Source

Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity

Language

English

Time

1593 1590s 16th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Hooker, Richard. Of the Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity. 1593, bk. 4, ch. 14, sect. 1.

Current Citation

Hooker, Richard. The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity In Modern English, edited by Bradford Littlejohn. Vol. 1, The Davenant Press, 2019, bk. 4, ch. 14, sect. 1.

This age thinks better of a gilded fool
Than of a threadbare saint in wisdom's school.

Thomas Dekker

Old Fortunatus

More information about this quote

Topic

What the world values

Speaker

Fortunatus

Author

Thomas Dekker

Source

Old Fortunatus

Medium

Play

Language

English

Time

1599 1590s 16th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Dekker, Thomas. The Pleasant Comedie of Old Fortunatus. 1599, Richmond Palace, England, UK, act 1, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Dekker, Thomas. Old Fortunatus, edited by David McInnis. Manchester University Press, 2019, act 1, sc. 1.

With how sad steps, O Moon, thou climb'st the skies!
How silently, and with how wan a face!

Philip Sidney

Astrophel and Stella

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Topic

The moon

Author

Philip Sidney

Source

Astrophel and Stella

Medium

Sonnet Poem

Language

English

Time

1591 1590s 16th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Sidney, Philip. Astrophel and Stella. London: Thomas Newman, 1591, sonnet 31.

Current Citation

Sidney, Philip. "Astrophil and Stella." Sir Philip Sidney: The Major Works, edited by Katherine Duncan-Jones. Oxford University Press, 2009, sonnet 31.

I will make it felony to drink small beer.

William Shakespeare

Henry VI, Part 2

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Read Henry VI, Part 2 (this was originally titled The Contention) at The Folger Shakespeare Library

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Topic

Beer Alcohol Drinking alcohol

Speaker

Cade

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Henry VI, Part 2

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play)

Language

English

Time

1594 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Henry VI, Part 2. London: Thomas Millington, 1594, act 4, sc. 2.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Second Part of Henry the Sixth." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 4, sc. 2.

My son-and what's a son? A thing begot
Within a pair of minutes, thereabout,
A lump bred up in darkness.

Thomas Kyd

More information about this quote

Topic

Parents and children

Speaker

Don Hieronimo

Author

Thomas Kyd

Source

The Spanish Tragedy

Medium

Play

Genre

Tragedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1592 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Kyd, Thomas. The Spanish Tragedy. 1592, The Rose, London, England, UK, act 3, sc. 11.

Current Citation

Kyd, Thomas. The Spanish Tragedy, edited by Michael Neill. W. W. Norton & Company, 2013, act 3, sc. 11.

How comes it
That thou art then estranged from thyself?

William Shakespeare

The Comedy of Errors

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Topic

Alienation from oneself Alienation

Speaker

Adriana

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

The Comedy of Errors

Medium

Play

Genre

Comedy (play)

Statement Type

Question

Language

English

Time

1594 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. The Comedy of Errors. 1594, Gray's Inn Hall, London, England, UK, act 2, sc. 2.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Comedy of Errors." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 2, sc. 2.

Unbidden guests
Are often welcomest when they are gone.

William Shakespeare

Henry VI, Part 1

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Topic

Guests and visitors

Speaker

Bedford

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Henry VI, Part 1

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play)

Language

English

Time

1592 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Henry VI, Part 1. Lord Strange's Men, 1592, Rose Theatre, London, England, UK, act 2, sc. 3.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The First Part of Henry the Sixth." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 2, sc. 3.

I know my soul hath power to know all things,
Yet is she blind and ignorant in all:
I know I'm one of Nature's little kings,
Yet to the least and vilest things am thrall.

Sir John Davies

Of Human Knowledge

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More information about this quote

Topic

Duality of man

Author

Sir John Davies

Source

Of Human Knowledge

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1599 1590s 16th century

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Davies, John, Sir. Nosce Teipsum. 1599, st. 44.

Things base and vile, holding no quantity,
Love can transpose to form and dignity.

William Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night's Dream

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Topic

Power of love Love

Speaker

Helena

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Medium

Play

Genre

Comedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1599 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. A Midsummer Night's Dream. The Lord Chamberlain's Men, c. 1599, The Theatre, London, England, UK, act 1, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act. 1, sc. 1.

What Fates impose, that men must needs abide;
It boots not to resist both wind and tide.

William Shakespeare

Henry VI, Part 3

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Read Henry VI, Part 3 (this was originally titled The True Tragedie of Richard Duke of Yorke) at The Folger Shakespeare Library

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Topic

Yielding to fate Fate

Speaker

King Edward IV

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Henry VI, Part 3

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play)

Language

English

Time

1595 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Henry VI, Part 3. London: Thomas Millington, 1595, act 4, sc. 3.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Third Part of Henry the Sixth." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 4, sc. 3.

Though Fortune’s malice overthrow my state,
My mind exceeds the compass of her wheel.

William Shakespeare

Henry VI, Part 3

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Read Henry VI, Part 3 (this was originally titled The True Tragedie of Richard Duke of Yorke) at The Folger Shakespeare Library

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Topic

Delusion Fortune

Speaker

King Edward IV

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Henry VI, Part 3

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play)

Language

English

Time

1595 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Henry the Sixth, Part 3. London: Thomas Millington, 1595, act 4, sc. 3.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Third Part of Henry the Sixth." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 4, sc. 3.

What is pomp, rule, reign, but earth and dust?
And live we how we can, yet die we must.

William Shakespeare

Henry VI, Part 3

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Read Henry VI, Part 3 (this was originally titled The True Tragedie of Richard Duke of Yorke) at The Folger Shakespeare Library

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Topic

Glory

Speaker

Warwick

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Henry VI, Part 3

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play)

Language

English

Time

1595 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Henry the Sixth, Part 3. London: Thomas Millington, 1595, act 5, sc. 2.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Third Part of Henry the Sixth." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 5, sc. 2.

Frame your mind to mirth and merriment,
Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life.

William Shakespeare

The Taming of the Shrew

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Topic

Positive attitude Laughter Long life

Speaker

Messenger

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

The Taming of the Shrew

Medium

Play

Genre

Comedy (play)

Statement Type

Advice

Language

English

Time

1594 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. The Taming of the Shrew. London: Cuthbert Burbie, 1594, introduction, sc. 2.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Taming of the Shrew." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, introduction, sc. 2.

From women’s eyes this doctrine I derive.
They sparkle still the right Promethean fire.
They are the books, the arts, the academes
That show, contain, and nourish all the world.

William Shakespeare

Love's Labour's Lost

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Topic

Women

Speaker

Lord Berowne

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Love's Labour's Lost

Medium

Play

Genre

Comedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1597 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Love's Labour's Lost. 1597, England, UK, act 4, sc. 3.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Love's Labour's Lost." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 4, sc. 3.

But times do change and move continually.

Sir Walter Raleigh

The Faerie Queens

More information about this quote

Topic

The only constant is change

Author

Sir Walter Raleigh

Source

The Faerie Queens

Medium

Poem

Language

English

Time

1599 1590s 16th century

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Spenser, Edmund. "Two Cantos of Mutabilitie." The Faerie Queene. London: Mathew Lownes, 1609, canto 7, st. 47.

Current Citation

Spenser, Edmund. "Two Cantos of Mutabilitie." Spenser: The Faerie Queene, edited by A. C. Hamilton, Hiroshi Yamashita, and Toshiyuki Suzuki. Longman, 2006.

How hard it is for women to keep counsel!

William Shakespeare

Julius Caesar

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Topic

Secrets Women

Speaker

Portia

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Julius Caesar

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play) Tragedy (play)

Language

English

Time

1599 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. The Lord Chamberlain's Men, 1599, Globe Theatre, London, England, UK, act 2, sc. 4.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Julius Caesar." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 2, sc. 4.

Doomsday is near. Die all, die merrily.

William Shakespeare

Henry IV, Part 1

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Topic

Live for the moment End of the world

Speaker

Hotspur

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Henry IV, Part 1

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play)

Statement Type

Advice

Language

English

Time

1597 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Henry IV, Part 1. The Lord Chamberlain's Men, c. 1597, The Theatre, London, England, UK, act 4, sc. 1.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The First Part of Henry the Fourth." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, 2015, act 4, sc. 1.

Thy wish was father…to that thought.

William Shakespeare

Henry IV, Part 2

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Topic

Wishful thinking Desire

Speaker

King Henry IV

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Henry IV, Part 2

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play)

Language

English

Time

1597 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Henry IV, Part 2. The Lord Chamberlain's Men, c. 1597, The Theatre, London, England, UK, act 4, sc. 5.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "The Second Part of Henry the Fourth." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 4, sc. 5.

So every bondman in his own hand bears
The power to cancel his captivity.

William Shakespeare

Julius Caesar

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Topic

Suicide

Speaker

Casca

Author

William Shakespeare

Source

Julius Caesar

Medium

Play

Genre

History (play) Tragedy (play)

Statement Type

Paradox

Language

English

Time

1599 1590s 16th century

Era

European Renaissance

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. The Lord Chamberlain's Men, 1599, Globe Theatre, London, England, UK, act 1, sc. 3.

Current Citation

Shakespeare, William. "Julius Caesar." The Norton Shakespeare, edited by Stephen Greenblatt, et al., 3rd ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2015, act 1, sc. 3.