Who riseth from a feast. With that keen appetite that he sits down?

Who riseth from a feast. With that keen appetite that he sits down?

The line "Who riseth from a feast. With that keen appetite that he sits down?" is from William Shakespeare's play "Antony and Cleopatra". In this line, Shakespeare is exploring the idea of insatiable desire and the never-ending cycle of wanting more.

The character who speaks this line is Enobarbus, a loyal friend and advisor to Mark Antony. Enobarbus is reflecting on Antony's behavior, noting that even after indulging in a lavish feast, Antony still has a strong appetite for more. This line serves as a metaphor for Antony's insatiable desire for power, pleasure, and love.

Antony is a complex character in the play, torn between his love for Cleopatra and his duty to Rome. He is a man of great appetites, both literal and metaphorical. He is constantly seeking new experiences, new conquests, and new pleasures. However, no matter how much he indulges, he is never satisfied. Like a man who rises from a feast only to sit down again with a keen appetite, Antony is always hungry for more.

Shakespeare uses this line to explore the theme of ambition and the destructive nature of unchecked desire. Antony's insatiable appetite leads to his downfall, as he becomes consumed by his own passions and loses sight of his responsibilities. In the end, his hunger for power and love proves to be his undoing.

The line also serves as a commentary on human nature and the never-ending cycle of desire. No matter how much we have, we always want more. Like Antony, we are constantly seeking new experiences, new challenges, and new pleasures. Our appetites are insatiable, driving us to constantly strive for more, even at the risk of our own destruction.

Overall, Shakespeare's line "Who riseth from a feast. With that keen appetite that he sits down?" is a powerful reminder of the dangers of unchecked desire and the never-ending cycle of wanting more. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of giving in to our insatiable appetites and the importance of finding balance in our lives.