where did "the world is our oyster" come from?

Question

who said it? i need the context.

thanks!! i just asked again before i realized you answered! cool.

Answer 1

Pistol to Falstaff, in Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor"

"Why, then the world's mine oyster,
Which I with sword will open."

Falstaff wants Pistol and another friend (all thieves) to help him do a scam on two wives of Windsor, but they refuse, so he fires them. Later, Pistol goes to Falstaff for a loan. Falstaff refuses. So, Pistol tells him that the world is his oyster, and that he will take what he wants by force, just like you cut open an oyster by forcing the knife in and prying apart the two sides to get at the pearl...



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You're welcome! I added more info for you.

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