The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief; he robs himself that spends a bootless grief

The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief; he robs himself that spends a bootless grief

In William Shakespeare's play Othello, the character Iago speaks the lines, "The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief; he robs himself that spends a bootless grief." These words hold a profound meaning that resonates throughout the play and in many of Shakespeare's works.

The first part of the quote, "The robb'd that smiles steals something from the thief," suggests that by maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity, one can take something valuable away from the person who has wronged them. In the context of Othello, this can be seen in the character of Desdemona, who remains kind and forgiving even as she is betrayed by those closest to her. By smiling in the face of betrayal, Desdemona is able to maintain her dignity and inner strength, ultimately stealing power back from those who seek to harm her.

The second part of the quote, "he robs himself that spends a bootless grief," warns against wasting time and energy on fruitless sorrow. In Othello, we see characters like Othello himself and Emilia who become consumed by grief and anger, ultimately leading to their downfall. By dwelling on their misfortunes and allowing themselves to be consumed by negative emotions, these characters rob themselves of the opportunity to find peace and redemption.

Overall, Shakespeare's words remind us of the power of resilience and positivity in the face of adversity. By choosing to smile in the face of hardship and avoiding the trap of self-destructive grief, we can take back control of our own destinies and find strength in the face of life's challenges. The characters in Othello serve as cautionary tales, showing us the consequences of allowing ourselves to be consumed by negative emotions and the importance of finding inner peace and strength in the face of adversity.