Could the Bard have been influenced by Stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Seneca? A closer look at Shakespeare’s famous quotes gives us some surprising clues.
The plays of William Shakespeare have captured the hearts and minds of audiences for centuries, thanks to their intricate plots, memorable characters, and thought-provoking themes. But could he have been a student of Stoic philosophy, as well?
“There’s nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
That’s the line (from Shakespear’s Hamlet) most often pointed to as an example of Shakespearean Stoicism. Why? Because it jives so well with lessons from ancient Stoic philosopers like Epictetus, who taught “it’s not things themselves that make us feel upset, but our judgments of things.”
Surprisingly, there are lots more lesser-known yet equally powerful Stoic-sounding lines to be found in almost every one of Shakespeare’s plays.
Was the Bard himself a philosopher who read the works of ancients like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, or did his genius simply allow him to generate the same timeless Stoic ideas that have re-emerged independently throughout human history?
As you chew that over, check out this list of Stoic quotes from Shakespeare.
Stoic Quotes from William Shakespeare
1. Hamlet (Act 1, Scene 2)
“Give thy thoughts no tongue,Nor any unproportioned thought his act. Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
Polonius advises his son Laertes to exercise self-control and avoid acting impulsively, reflecting a core Stoic value.
2. Henry IV, Part 2
“A man can die but once; we owe God a death.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
Feeble, from Henry IV Part 2, accepts the inevitability of death and embraces the natural order of life, akin to Stoic thinking.
3. King Lear (Act 4, Scene 1)
“Men must endure their going hence, even as their coming hither. Ripeness is all.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
Edgar suggests that humans need to accept life’s natural course, resonating with the Stoic idea of going with the flow.
4. The Tempest (Act 5, Scene 1)
“This thing of darkness I Acknowledge mine.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
Prospero takes responsibility for Caliban, despite his flaws, reflecting the Stoic principle of owning one’s actions and emotions.
5. Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 5)
“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
Macbeth’s reflection on life’s insignificance aligns with the Stoic idea of Memento Mori; focusing on the bigger picture and accepting the fleeting nature of human existence.
6. Julius Caesar (Act 3, Scene 2)
“Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
Cassius emphasizes personal responsibility and the power of one’s own actions, a key Stoic teaching.
7. As You Like It (Act 2, Scene 1)
“Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
Duke Senior believes adversity can lead to growth, channeling some serious Stoic vibes about using hardships for self-improvement.
8. Othello (Act 1, Scene 3)
“The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief; He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
The Duke advises Brabantio not to dwell on sorrow, as it only amplifies the harm done, reflecting the Stoic idea of the Dichotomy of Control.
9. Henry IV, Part 1 (Act 5, Scene 4)
“Thoughts are but dreams till their effects be tried.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
King Henry IV suggests actions speak louder than thoughts, echoing the Stoic principle of valuing deeds over contemplation.
10. Twelfth Night (Act 2, Scene 5)
“In delay there lies no plenty, Then come kiss me, sweet and twenty: Youth’s a stuff will not endure.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
Feste’s song captures the Stoic notion of living in the present moment and accepting the impermanence of life, so make the most of it while you can.
11. Measure for Measure (Act 2, Scene 2)
“Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
Lucio encourages Isabella to overcome her doubts and be decisive, channeling the Stoic concept of courage and rational decision-making.
12. Richard II (Act 3, Scene 2)
“Let’s talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs; Make dust our paper and with rainy eyes Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth.”
Why It’s Stoic . . .
King Richard II reflects on the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death, touching on core Stoic themes of accepting mortality and the natural order of things.
Shakespeare: a Secret Stoic, or a Re-Discoverer of Timeless Ideas?
With these examples in mind (and there are lots more to be found in his plays and sonnets), it’s clear that Shakespeare’s works contain lots of Stoicism-flavored lines. But what’s the likelihood that the Bard was actually familiar with — or even a practitioner of — Stoic philosophy?
It’s worth considering that Shakespeare was a keen observer of human nature, and his plays often delve into various philosophical ideas, including Stoicism. By incorporating these themes, he enriched his characters and stories, making them more relatable and engaging.
The presence of Stoic themes in his plays doesn’t necessarily mean Shakespeare was a devoted Stoic philosopher. His primary goal was to create captivating, heartbreaking and hilarious works of fiction — not philosophical treatises.
It’s also possible that Shakespeare simply arrived at similar conclusions as the Stoics without deep knowledge of their philosophy. This phenomenon, where timeless ideas emerge throughout human history, isn’t without precedent. In fact, many of the same Stoic ideas in the lessons in the Enchiridion of Epictetus also rose independently in ancient Asia and other places across the globe.
So there’s the rub (to coin a phrase). We can’t definitively claim that Shakespeare was a secret student of Stoicism . . . but the guy certainly understood what it meant to have a Stoic mindset, and incorporated Stoic themes into his works (whether intentionally or not).