He hath never fed of the daintier that are bred in a book

He hath never fed of the daintier that are bred in a book

The line "He hath never fed of the daintier that are bred in a book" is from William Shakespeare's play "Love's Labour's Lost." In this line, the character Berowne is speaking about his friend, the King of Navarre, who has sworn an oath to study and fast from the pleasures of the world, including the company of women. Berowne is criticizing the King for his strict adherence to this oath, suggesting that he is missing out on the richness and beauty of life by denying himself these pleasures.

Shakespeare often used the theme of the power of literature and the written word in his plays, and in this line, Berowne is suggesting that the King is missing out on the joys and delights that can be found in books. By "feeding of the daintier that are bred in a book," Berowne is implying that the King is depriving himself of the intellectual and emotional nourishment that can be gained from reading and engaging with literature.

This line also speaks to the idea of the transformative power of literature. In Shakespeare's time, books were seen as a source of knowledge, wisdom, and entertainment. By immersing oneself in the world of books, one could expand their horizons, gain new perspectives, and experience the beauty of language and storytelling. Berowne is suggesting that the King is missing out on all of these benefits by isolating himself from the world of books.

Furthermore, this line can be interpreted as a commentary on the limitations of strict adherence to rules and oaths. The King's vow to abstain from worldly pleasures may be well-intentioned, but Berowne is pointing out that it is ultimately a self-imposed restriction that is preventing him from fully experiencing life. By refusing to "feed of the daintier that are bred in a book," the King is denying himself the opportunity to grow, learn, and be enriched by the world around him.