As the last taste of sweets, is sweetest last, writ in remembrance more than things long past

As the last taste of sweets, is sweetest last, writ in remembrance more than things long past

The quote "As the last taste of sweets, is sweetest last, writ in remembrance more than things long past" from William Shakespeare's play Richard II, speaks to the idea that the final moments of an experience are often the most memorable and impactful. In this context, Shakespeare is highlighting the power of nostalgia and the way in which our memories of the past are often colored by the emotions we felt in those final moments.

Throughout his works, Shakespeare frequently explores the themes of memory, time, and the passage of experience. In Richard II, the quote is spoken by the character John of Gaunt as he reflects on his own mortality and the fleeting nature of life. Gaunt is expressing the idea that the sweetness of life is most keenly felt in its final moments, when we are forced to confront our own mortality and reflect on the experiences that have shaped us.

The quote also speaks to the idea of the power of memory and how our recollections of the past are often shaped by our emotions and feelings in the present. The sweetness of a memory is not just in the events themselves, but in the emotions and sensations that accompany them. By writing these memories "in remembrance," we are able to preserve and savor the sweetness of those moments long after they have passed.

Shakespeare's use of language in this quote is particularly striking, as he juxtaposes the idea of sweetness with the inevitability of loss and the passage of time. The image of the last taste of sweets being the sweetest last is a powerful metaphor for the bittersweet nature of memory and the way in which our recollections of the past are often tinged with both joy and sorrow.

Overall, Shakespeare's quote serves as a poignant reminder of the power of memory and the way in which our experiences shape who we are. It encourages us to savor the sweetness of life in all its forms and to cherish the memories that make us who we are.