Given the varied nature of how love is portrayed in Shakespeare’s works, we’ve collected this selection of quotes not just from Romeo and Juliet but also from Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Antony and Cleopatra and As You Like It, as well as lesser known plays like Titus Andronicus and Timon of Athens. Here they are listed alphabetically according to the title of the play in which they appear.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The course of true love never did run smooth. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act I, Scene I
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; And therefore is wing’d Cupid painted blind. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act I, Scene I
And therefore is love said to be a child, Because in choice he is so oft beguil’d. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act I, Scene I
We cannot fight for love, as men may do; we shou’d be woo’d, and were not made to woo. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act II, Scene II
So far be distant; and good night, sweet friend: thy love ne’er alter, till they sweet life end. – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act II, Scene III
All’s Well That Ends Well
Say, thou art mine; and ever, My love, as it begins, shall so persevere. – All’s Well That Ends Well, Act IV, Scene II
Antony and Cleopatra
The stroke of death is as a lovers pinch, which hurts and is desired. – Antony and Cleopatra, Act V, Scene II
As You Like It
Hereafter, in a better world than this, I shall desire more love and knowledge of you. – As You Like It, Act I, Scene II
Love, which teacheth me that thou and I am one. – As You Like It, Act I, Scene III
If thou remeber’st not the slightest folly that ever love did make thee run into, thou hast not lov’d. – As You Like It, Act II, Scene IV
Who ever lov’d that lov’d not at first sight?. – As You Like It, Act III, Scene V
I pray you, do not fall in love with me, for I am falser than vows made in wine. – As You Like It, Act III, Scene V
Henry V
I know no ways to mince it in love, but directly to say – I love you. – Henry V, Act V, Scene II
King Lear
I love you more than word can wield the matter, Dearer than eye-sight, space and liberty. – King Lear, Act I, Scene I
Love is not love when it is mingled with regards, that stands aloof from th’ entire point. – King Lear, Act I, Scene I
King Richard III
By Heaven, my soul is purg’d from grudging hate; And with my hand I seal my true heart’s love. – King Richard III, Act II, Scene I
Love’s Labour’s Lost
Love is a familiar; love is a devil: there is no evil angel but love. – Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act I, Scene II
And, when love speaks, the voice of all the gods makes heaven drowsy with the harmony. – Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act IV, Scene III
Macbeth
The love that follows us sometimes is our trouble, which we still thank as love. – Macbeth, Act I, Scene VI
Who could refrain, that had a heart to love, and in that heart courage to make’s love known?. – Macbeth, Act II, Scene III
Measure for Measure
What? do I love her, that I desire to hear her speak again, and feast upon her eyes. – Measure for Measure, Act II, Scene II
O, injurious love, that respites me a life, whose very comfort is still a dying horror. – Measure for Measure, Act II, Scene III
Merry Wives of Windsor
I have pursued her, as love hath pursued me. – Merry Wives of Windsor, Act II, Scene II
What made me love thee? let that persuade thee, there’s something extraordinary in thee. – Merry Wives of Windsor, Act III, Scene III
I love thee; none but thee, and thou deservest it. – Merry Wives of Windsor, Act III, Scene III
Much Ado About Nothing
I do love nothing in the world so well as you. – Much Ado About Nothing, Act V, Scene I
I love you with so much of my heart, that none is left to protest. – Much Ado About Nothing, Act V, Scene I
And, I pray thee now, tell me, for which of my bad parts did thou first fall in love with me?. – Much Ado About Nothing, Act VI, Scene II
Romeo and Juliet
Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs. – Romeo and Juliet, Act I, Scene I
Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still, Should without eyes see pathways to his will! – Romeo and Juliet, Act I, Scene I
This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet. –
Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II
With love’s light wings did I o’er-perch these walls, for stony limits cannot hold love out. – Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II
By Heaven, I love thee better than myself. – Romeo and Juliet, Act V, Scene III
Taming of the Shrew
Is it possible that love should of a sudden take such a hold?. – Taming of the Shrew, Act I, Scene I
Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, shall win my love. – Taming of the Shrew, Act IV, Scene II
The Merchant of Venice
I love thee, and it is my love that speaks. – The Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene I
Love is blind, and lovers cannot see the petty follies that themselves commit. – The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene VI
Timon of Athens
Ere I could make thee open thy white hand, and clap thyself my love; then didst thou utter, I am your’s for ever! – The Winter’s Tale, Act I, Scene II
He, that loves to be flatter’d, is worthy o’the flatterer. – Timon of Athens, Act I, Scene I
Thou ever young, fresh, lov’d, and delicate wooer, whose blush doth thaw the consecrated snow. – Timon of Athens, Act IV, Scene III
Titus Andronicus
And, if you love me, as I think you do, let’s kiss and part, for we have much to do. – Titus Andronicus, Act III, Scene II
Twelfth Night
O, spirit of love, how quick and fresh art thou! – Twelfth Night, Act I, Scene I
Love sought is good, but given unsought better. – Twelfth Night, Act III, Scene X
Two Gentlemen of Verona
To be in love, where scorn is bought with groans; coy looks, with heart-sore sighs; one fading moment’s mirth. – Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act I, Scene I
Sweet love! Sweet lines! Sweet life! Here is her hand, the agent of her heart; Here is her oath for love, her honour’s pawn. – Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act I, Scene III
I have lov’d her ever since I saw her; and still I see her beautiful. – Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act II, Scene I
For love, thou know’st, is full of jealousy. – Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act II, Scene IV
My love is thaw’d; Which, like a waxen image ‘gainst a fire, bears no impression of the thing it was. – Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act II, Scene IV
Read more facts about the Shakespeare plays and sonnets from which they come. Or for more quotable material dont forget to explore the selection of Shakespeare quotes on life, doubtless many influenced by his own timeline of life events.