{"id":5963,"date":"2022-09-03T19:43:24","date_gmt":"2022-09-03T19:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=5963"},"modified":"2022-09-03T19:43:24","modified_gmt":"2022-09-03T19:43:24","slug":"uneasy-lies-the-head-that-wears-a-crown-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/uneasy-lies-the-head-that-wears-a-crown-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Uneasy Lies the Head that Wears a Crown \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for a way to express the frustration and anxiety of making hard decisions? You could use the phrase 'uneasy is the head that wears a crown'<\/em><\/strong> to describe their emotional state.<\/p>\n

This phrase unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression 'uneasy lies the head that wears a crown' <\/em>means that you\u2019re dealing with stress and anxiety caused by carrying a heavy burden in your life.<\/p>\n

The person feels stressed and on edge all the time and operates under huge pressure. The expression means that you struggle with maintaining a balance in your life due to environmental and social pressures.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cI\u2019m under a lot of pressure at work at the moment. We\u2019re bleeding cash this quarter, and everyone is looking to me to provide direction. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a crisis and need effective leadership to navigate us through this time. Look at how stressed the Prime minister is at the situation. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaking tough decisions as a manager is just part of the job. I must do it to grow in the company and as a person. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u2018uneasy lies the head that wears a crown\u2019 originates from a misquote of a line from a play by William Shakespeare.<\/p>\n

The original phrase appears in his play, \u2018King Richard IV Part 2\u2019, during the first scene in act 3. The expression appears in its original form as follows.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat, with the hurly, death itself awakes?<\/p>\n

Canst thou, O partial sleep, give thy repose<\/p>\n

To the wet sea-boy in an hour so rude,<\/p>\n

And in the calmest and most stillest night,<\/p>\n

With all appliances and means to boot,<\/p>\n

Deny it to a king? Then happy low, lie down!<\/p>\n

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear when the more popular version, \u2018uneasy is the head that wears the crown,\u2019 appeared as a replacement for the original phrase, but it\u2019s the more common variant today.<\/p>\n