Call you that backing of friends? A plague upon such backing! Give me them that will face me

Call you that backing of friends? A plague upon such backing! Give me them that will face me

In the world of William Shakespeare, loyalty and friendship were often tested and scrutinized. The quote “Call you that backing of friends? A plague upon such backing! Give me them that will face me” speaks to the idea that true friends are not those who blindly support you, but rather those who are willing to stand by your side and face challenges with you.

In many of Shakespeare’s plays, characters are faced with betrayal and deceit from those they considered friends. This quote, spoken by the character Coriolanus in the play of the same name, reflects the sentiment that true friendship is not about empty words or false support, but about standing together in the face of adversity.

Coriolanus, a Roman general, finds himself betrayed by those he once considered friends and allies. He realizes that their backing was not genuine, but rather a facade to further their own agendas. In this moment of realization, he expresses his disdain for such false support and instead calls for friends who are willing to stand with him and face the challenges head-on.

This theme of loyalty and betrayal is a common thread throughout Shakespeare’s works. Characters like Brutus in Julius Caesar and Iago in Othello manipulate and deceive their supposed friends, leading to tragic consequences. The quote “Call you that backing of friends? A plague upon such backing! Give me them that will face me” serves as a reminder that true friendship is built on honesty, trust, and a willingness to stand together in times of trouble.