Faith, there hath been many great men that have flattered the people who ne'er loved them

Faith, there hath been many great men that have flattered the people who ne'er loved them

In the world of William Shakespeare's plays, the theme of flattery and manipulation is a common thread that runs through many of his works. The quote "Faith, there hath been many great men that have flattered the people who ne'er loved them" speaks to the idea that people in positions of power often use flattery to manipulate others, even when they are not genuinely loved or respected by those they are flattering.

One of the most famous examples of this theme in Shakespeare's works is the character of Iago in "Othello." Iago is a master manipulator who uses flattery and deceit to turn Othello against his wife, Desdemona, and ultimately bring about his downfall. Despite the fact that Othello does not truly love or trust Iago, he is swayed by the flattery and manipulation of his supposed friend, leading to tragic consequences for all involved.

Similarly, in "Julius Caesar," the character of Mark Antony uses flattery to turn the Roman citizens against Brutus and the other conspirators who assassinated Caesar. Despite the fact that Antony may not have genuinely loved or respected Caesar, he is able to manipulate the crowd through his powerful and persuasive speech, ultimately leading to a civil war and the downfall of the conspirators.