When we are born we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.

William Shakespeare’s quote, “When we are born we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools,” speaks to the human condition and the inherent absurdity of life. By saying that we cry upon birth, Shakespeare implies that the arrival into the world is not always met with joy or celebration. Instead, it can be seen as an entry into a world filled with foolishness, suffering, and ignorance, where human beings often act in irrational or self-serving ways, despite the complexity and potential for growth in life.

The term "stage of fools" reflects Shakespeare’s recurring theme of life as a theater. In many of his plays, life is depicted as a performance, where people are actors playing their roles without always understanding the true nature of their existence. The foolishness of life is often portrayed as an inescapable part of the human experience, where individuals find themselves caught in cycles of conflict, misunderstanding, and tragedy. Shakespeare suggests that from the moment of birth, we enter this stage, unaware of the complexities and challenges that lie ahead.

This idea is consistent with Shakespeare’s portrayal of life’s contradictions. His works often explore the tension between human aspirations and the inherent follies of human nature. The quote points to the idea that the human journey is filled with contradictions and that even from birth, we are thrown into a world that can be both beautiful and tragic, where wisdom and ignorance coexist. The cry symbolizes the shock of entering a world filled with challenges and complexities, which may seem overwhelming or foolish at first.

The origin of the quote comes from Shakespeare’s play King Lear, a work that delves into themes of madness, foolishness, and the fragility of human existence. In this play, the character of King Lear reflects on the absurdities of life, including the cruelty of aging and the loss of power. The quote captures the play's dark yet insightful perspective on the nature of life, emphasizing how human beings often come into existence without fully understanding the world they are entering.