Shakespeare Quotes on Marriage

Hanging and wiving goes by destiny

— The Merchant of Venice, Act 2 Scene 9, line 84; Nerissa to Portia

Thou art sad; get thee a wife, get thee a wife!

— Much Ado About Nothing, Act 5 Scene 4, line 121; Benedick to Leonato

For what is wedlock forced but a hell, / An age of discord and continual strife? / Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss, / And is a pattern of celestial peace

— 1 Henry VI, Act 5 Scene 5, lines 62-65, Suffolk to other lords

Who wooed in haste and means to wed at leisure

— Taming of the Shrew, Act 3 Scene 2, line 11, Katherina to Baptista, of Petruchio

Marriage is a matter of more worth / Than to be dealt in by attorneyship

— 1 Henry VI, Act 5 Scene 5, lines 55-56, Suffolk to other lords

The instances that second marriage move / Are base respects of thrift, but none of love

— Hamlet, Act 3 Scene 2, lines 192-93, FIrst Player (as King) to Second Player (as Queen)

Time goes on crutches till love hath all his rites

— Much Ado About Nothing, Act 2 Scene 1, Lines 336-37; Claudio to Don Pedro

Get thee a good husband, and use him as he uses thee

— All's Well That Ends Well, Act 1 Scene 1, Lines 214-15; Parolles to Helena

If men could be contented to be what they are, there were no fear in marriage

— All's Well That Ends Well, Act 1 Scene 3, lines 50-51; Clown to Countess of Rossillion

Fools are as like husbands as pilchards are to herrings, the husband's the bigger

— Twelfth Night, Act 3 Scene 1, lines 34-36; Feste to Viola