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"A fool's bolt is soon shot."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Orleans, in Henry V, act 3, sc. 7, l. 122.
Proverbial; a fool lets fly with his arrow ("bolt") too soon. |
"If ever you prove false to one another, since I have taken such pain to bring you together, let all pitiful goers-between be called to the world's end after my name; call them all Pandars."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Pandarus, in Troilus and Cressida, act 3, sc. 2, l. 199-202.
On providing Troilus and Cressida with a bedroom in which to make love. |
"This is the very ecstasy of love."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Polonius, in Hamlet, act 2, sc. 1, l. 99.
Interpreting Hamlet's strange behavior to Ophelia as the "ecstasy" or madness of love for her. |
"Doth it not show vilely in me to desire small beer?"
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Prince Hal, in Henry IV, Part 2, act 2, sc. 2, l. 5-6.
Implying that a prince should want strong drink, not weak ("small") beer. |
"The worm of conscience still begnaw thy soul!"
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Queen Margaret, in Richard III, act 1, sc. 3, l. 221.
Addressing Richard; "still" means continually. |
"How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night,
Like softest music to attending ears!"
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Romeo, in Romeo and Juliet, act 2, sc. 2, l. 165-6.
Hearing Juliet call to him. |
"A harmless necessary cat."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Shylock, in The Merchant of Venice, act 4, sc. 1, l. 55.
Commenting on what some people cannot bear. |
"My recompense is thanks, that's all,
Yet my good will is great, though the gift small."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Thaisa, in Pericles, act 3, sc. 4, l. 17-18.
To Cerimon, who has brought her back to life. |
"Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed!"
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Titania, in A Midsummer Night's Dream, act 3, sc. 1, l. 162.
The charming names of Titania's diminutive fairy servants; "Moth" sounded like "mote" or speck. |
"I would be loath to cast away my speech, for besides that it is excellently well penned, I have taken great pains to con it."
William Shakespeare (1564-1616), British dramatist, poet. Viola, in Twelfth Night, act 1, sc. 5, l. 172-4.
Addressing Olivia with a speech on behalf of Orsino; "con" means learn by heart. |
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William Shakespeare
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