Devil Quotes
Hell is empty and all the devils are here.
"Hell is empty and all the devils are here."— William Shakespeare
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Meaning of this quote
In the play, a terrified Ferdinand mistakes the storm's supernatural appearance for a world overrun by devils.
Key takeaway:
Read dramatic speech in its immediate situation before applying it broadly.
Origin of the quote
The Tempest, Act 1, Scene 2; Ariel reports Ferdinand's words.
Who actually said this?
Ferdinand's exclamation is quoted within Ariel's report of the shipboard storm; dramatic context differs from a literal claim about society.
Source:
The Tempest, Act 1, Scene 2
