1. In "Measure for Measure," Act II, Scene IV, the Duke says:
"Therefore your hearts must lie within your loins,
And your head without."
In this context, "loins" refers to the inner strength, courage, and determination one must summon when faced with challenging circumstances.
2. In "The Taming of the Shrew," Act II, Scene I, Petruchio says:
"The happiest day, the happiest hour, the happiest minute
I e'er enquired, till happy hour I saw thy face,
And thou art come to make my loins rejoice!"
Here, "loins" represents physical and emotional pleasure or excitement, particularly in the context of love and desire.
3. In "Hamlet," Act III, Scene I, Queen Gertrude says:
"For women fear too much, even as they love,
And women's fear and love holds quantity,
In neither aught, or in extremity.
Now what my love is, proof hath made you know,
And as my love is siz'd, my fear is so.
Where love is great, the littlest doubts are fear,
Where little fears grow great, great love grows there."
In this context, "love" is compared to a physical manifestation that "sizes" the "loins."
4. In "The Tempest," Act V, Scene I, Ferdinand says:
"Here am I,
My mistress drown'd, and yonder is my father,
Where every something answers man, the princess,
I, the man have lost her, and my father hath lost
The man I have recover'd; poor Prospero,
Thy twice-dying daughter's in the sea,
Although this island seem to be desert,
Uninhabitable, and almost inaccessible,
Yet, against my heart my loins rejoice
To be so rid o' the cursèd Stephano."
In this speech, Ferdinand finds joy despite his circumstances because he has been "rid" of Stephano.
It's worth noting that Shakespeare uses "loins" in both literal and metaphorical contexts, and its meaning can slightly vary based on the specific play and character.
Overall, in Shakespeare's works, "loins" primarily pertains to notions of strength, virility, and strong emotions like love and desire, aligning with its common usage during the Elizabethan era.